Athens International Airport (AIA) has suffered a 16 percent drop in the number of international arrivals in comparison with February 2008.

March 2009 also saw a 12 percent decrease in international arrivals.

Figures released by the AIA showed that 639,852 international passengers passed through the airport in March, down from 763,853 in 2008.

Domestic passengers declined 3.4 percent.

Industry officials expect a drop of up to 20 percent in international tourism arrivals this year from 2008 levels.