Greece recorded one of the European Union’s steepest airfare increases in June 2026, according to Eurostat data. Air travel prices in the country climbed 15.1% compared with June 2025, putting Greece third among the bloc’s 27 nations.
Only two countries logged steeper jumps. Belgium topped the list with a 28.7% rise, while Austria followed at 22.3%. Greece’s airfare increase stood well above the EU average of 3.1% and the euro area average of 3.6% for the same month.
The rise was driven mostly by international flights. Tickets for trips leaving Greece for other countries cost 20.2% more than a year earlier. Domestic flights within Greece rose at a slower pace, up 14.8% compared with June 2025.
Across the wider EU, air transport prices have changed drastically since January 2025. Analysts link the volatility to shifting travel demand, seasonal patterns, and recent geopolitical events. The steepest increase came in April 2025, when prices jumped 13.7% year-on-year.
Unstable EU airfare prices
This was followed by months of less significant highs and lows. The current year started off with a price drop. Then there were gains in February and March before a sharp 4.7% fall in April. May brought a rebound of 8.1%, and prices grew 3.1% in June.
Price changes for international routes were more dramatic than those for domestic flights throughout this period. They fell faster during weak months but also surged higher, climbing 14.1% in April 2025 and 8.7% in May 2026. In June, EU-wide international fares rose 4.5%, while domestic fares gained 2.0%.
Price trends varied widely by country. Belgium’s increase eased steadily, falling from 41.5% in April to 33.8% in May and 28.7% in June. Slovakia moved in the opposite direction, with prices dropping each month sharply. They were down 53.0% in April, 48.2% in May, and 45.1% in June.
Greece’s airfare increase among EU’s steepest in June
Most EU countries saw prices fall in April 2026 before rebounding in May. By June, only Austria and Greece posted increases over 15%. Hungary and Poland recorded the largest declines among member states, falling 13.6% and 13.1% respectively.
The figures come from Eurostat’s Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, which tracks monthly cost changes for goods and services, including air travel, across all EU member states.
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