Under the spectacle of an original drone show on Tuesday evening, June 24, at the Olympic Museum of Athens, the management of SKY express announced the delivery of two new aircraft and the expansion of its network to five additional international destinations.
By the end of the week, the company will have taken delivery of two new Airbus A320neo aircraft with 180 seats and CFM engines, while from autumn, around October 20, new flights to Madrid, Lisbon, Hamburg, Berlin, and Lyon will begin with attractive discounts (indicatively 40%). Speaking to journalists, the founder and president of the IOGR Group, which owns SKY express, Yiannis Grylos, said that for 2025 it is estimated that 5.5 million passengers will have traveled, something that not only shows the company’s continuous growth but makes its presence in the international market even stronger. As he said, each year, capacity increases by 5% to 6% in the domestic network and at the moment an increase is already being recorded in the five-month period of 2025.
The founder and president of the IOGR Group, which owns SKY express, Yiannis Grylos
He believes that airline tickets are more economical compared to the broader high costs prevailing in other travel sectors, while regarding the course of Greek tourism he estimates that the year will close at approximately the same levels as 2024. Regarding geopolitical developments, he does not express particular concern, however, he admits that Europe is economically in an unfavorable position. On the other hand, he believes that now comes the timing for development potential in certain countries such as Germany, where SKY express has impressively strengthened its presence (Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg).
He is optimistic about Santorini, which he sees making a positive turnaround. “This island has nine lives! We are currently at last year’s levels and as it appears, the summer will go well,” he commented, explaining that due to the cancellation of several charter flights, flights via Athens have increased.
Satisfaction from Athens Airport – SKY express closes 5-month period with 4% growth domestically and 31% internationally
Ioanna Papadopoulou, communications and marketing director of Athens International Airport (AIA), also referred to SKY express’s impressively dynamic course, emphasizing that from 2019 when it was at 2.5% in terms of market share at Athens airport, today it approaches 12%, maintaining a significant position (domestic and international). This translates to a 25% increase over six years, confirming, as she says, the company’s impressive trajectory.
Regarding this year, SKY express records a 4% increase domestically and 31% in the international network. “Also significant is the ratio of domestic and international network which approaches 35% (international) and 65% (domestic),” Ms. Papadopoulou noted, explaining that international traffic is the key element driving the development of Athens International Airport.
Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer of SKY express, also expressed his optimism, not only regarding this year, but also the airline’s continuous growth. “SKY express is the only airline in Greece that has managed to achieve so much in such a short period of time,” he commented on the occasion of the new fleet reinforcement with two additional aircraft and the expansion of its network to five destinations: Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin, Lyon, and Hamburg, attributing such rapid development to passenger confidence.
We remind that SKY express consistently maintains its leading position with the largest network of Greek destinations, to 33 destinations, while internationally it now counts 27 destinations. Its fleet is the newest in Greece, consisting of 29 aircraft.
