Tag Archives: Aegean Airlines

Aegean announces 14 new routes from Athens and Thessaloniki during the winter season

Aegean Airlines made this announcement:

November closed with international passenger traffic reaching and marginally surpassing the corresponding levels of scheduled flights in 2019, reporting yet another recovery month for AEGEAN.

AEGEAN carried approximately 560,000 passengers on its international network flights (+ 50% increase compared to 2021) by offering 680,000 seats.

In November and for the rest of the current winter operations 8 destinations that were not included in the Winter 2019-2020 flight schedule have been included and maintained from Athens. Basel, Cologne, Eindhoven, Florence, Oslo, Riyadh, Paphos, and Podgorica are destinations to and from AEGEAN operates ex Athens International Airport for the first time during the winter season, with the first positive results in terms of capacity.

At the same time the 6 new additional international routes to Hamburg, Berlin, Zurich, Brussels, Milan and Rome – that were launched for the direct connection of Thessaloniki in the summer season of 2022 – were maintained in November contributing to the increase of the company’s international presence from Thessaloniki airport “Makedonia” by 25%, compared to November 2019.

For the same period a similar effort to extend the summer season was also carried out to and from Heraklion Airport, with particularly positive results, as the majority of flights to and from Germany, France and Switzerland were maintained. Meanwhile, in continuation of the more than 12-year cooperation with TEMES, the flights to and from Kalamata to Munich, Copenhagen and Stockholm took place.

In the coming weeks, AEGEAN’s winter network will be further enhanced, as from December 22, the scheduled flights connecting Athens with Morocco with 2 weekly flights – will be reintroduced. While also for March, there will be efforts to restore several seasonal routes from Athens and Thessaloniki as well as selected regional destinations, 1 or even 1.5 month earlier than the usual starting date of flights of the tourist season, which is usually set between April and May any given year.

Top Copyright Photo: Aegean Airlines Airbus A320-271N WL SX-NEC (msn 9583) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 959619.

Aegean aircraft photo gallery:

Emirates and Aegean to codeshare

Emirates is activating a new codeshare partnership today with AEGEAN, allowing its customers to benefit from increased connectivity to eight domestic Greek points via Athens, using a single ticket. Emirates will place its code on AEGEAN operated flights, providing customers with a convenient and seamless booking experience as well as one consistent baggage policy, to popular destinations: Kerkyra, Chania, Irakleion, Mikonos, Thira, Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Alexandropoulos. Under the codeshare agreement, AEGEAN will also place its code on Emirates-operated flights between Dubai and Athens for their customers to benefit from smooth connections to Dubai and onward.

Starting October 2022, Emirates and AEGEAN will further increase their joint codeshare network to include eight more European regional routes via Athens, including Bucharest, Belgrade and Naples, among others, as well as westwards on Emirates’ flights to New York Newark from Athens, and New York JFK from Milan. Emirates currently serves Athens with 12 weekly flights operated by a Boeing 777.  These additional codeshare routes will be subject to receiving the necessary regulatory approvals.

Through its codeshare agreements with more than 26 carriers, two rail partners as well as 110 interline partners worldwide, Emirates offers its customers truly global connectivity across 6 continents.

Aegean Airlines to enhance passenger experience with high-speed inflight broadband powered by the European Aviation Network

Aegean Airlines will offer Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom’s award-winning onboard connectivity on its fleet, with the service going live on all A321neo aircraft.

Aegean has announced that its onboard experience will accelerate further with the introduction of high-speed inflight broadband, powered by the European Aviation Network (EAN). The award-winning connectivity solution, provided by Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom, will be installed on all existing and new Aegean Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft by 2025, with the first seven entering service this month.

As of this week  Aegean passengers will have access to three different Wi-Fi packages, including a free 10-minute “try before you buy” service to browse the internet, send and receive emails, and access messaging and social media applications. This can be extended by selecting either the “text and surf” package or upgrading to the “streaming” option, which adds the capability to watch videos or listen to audio online. As Europe’s fastest inflight broadband solution, EAN offers incomparable speeds, uninterrupted coverage across Europe and significantly lower latency than any other aviation connectivity service on the market.

Under this agreement, Aegean has also partnered with Display Interactive to create a customized digital portal, allowing passengers to access Wi Fi packages and a rich entertainment platform using their personal devices. This enables the passengers  to explore multiple entertainment options (music, series, documentaries, cartoons, games, daily news, etc.), receive real time travel information and sign up to Aegean’s Miles+Bonus frequent flyer program. Display Interactive, which is also a partner for Inmarsat’s OneFi passenger experience platform, has developed the portal for Aegean to enhance its passenger experience and enable its inflight connectivity offering.

Aegean Airlines suspends flights to Beirut after plane damage

Delivered on December 17, 2020

From Reuters:

“Aegean Airlines said on Saturday it had suspended all flights to Beirut pending the results of an investigation into the cause of damage to one of its planes that flew to the Lebanese capital.

Ground crew at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport found external damage to the fuselage of a plane that flew from Athens on Jan. 10, prompting the airline a day later to suspend all flights to and from Beirut, a company statement said.”

Top Copyright Photo: Aegean Airlines Airbus A321-271NX WL SX-NAC (msn 10189) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 953925.

Aegean Airlines aircraft slide show:

Aegean Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

European Commission approves €120 million Greek support to compensate Aegean Airlines for damages suffered due to coronavirus outbreak

European Commission made this announcement:

The European Commission has found a Greek grant of €120 million to Aegean Airlines to be in line with EU State aid rules. The measure aims at compensating the airline for the losses directly caused by the coronavirus outbreak and the travel restrictions imposed by Greece and other destination countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “The aviation industry is one of the sectors that has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus outbreak. This measure will enable Greece to compensate Aegean Airlines for the damage directly suffered due to the travel restrictions necessary to limit the spread of the coronavirus. We continue working with Member States to find workable solutions to support companies in these difficult times, in line with EU rules.”

Aegean Airlines is a Greek-based airline, which in 2019 transported about 15 million passengers. Before the coronavirus outbreak, Aegean operated flights from its main hub in Athens and from other Greek airports to 155 domestic and international destinations in 44 countries. Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, Aegean has suffered a significant reduction of its services, resulting in high operating losses.

Greece notified to the Commission an aid measure to compensate Aegean Airlines for the damage suffered from 23 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 resulting from the containment measures and travel restrictions introduced by Greece and other destination countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The support will take the form of a €120 million direct grant, which does not exceed the estimated damage directly caused to the airline in that period.

The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which enables the Commission to approve State aid measures granted by Member States to compensate specific companies or sectors for damage directly caused by exceptional occurrences.

The Commission considers that the coronavirus outbreak qualifies as such an exceptional occurrence, as it is an extraordinary, unforeseeable event having significant economic impact. As a result, exceptional interventions by the Member State to compensate for the damages linked to the outbreak are justified.

The Commission found that the Greek measure will compensate the damage suffered by Aegean Airlines that is directly linked to the coronavirus outbreak. It also found that the measure is proportionate, as the aid does not exceed what is necessary to make good the damage.

On this basis, the Commission concluded that the Greek damage compensation measure is in line with EU State aid rules.

Aegean Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Aegean Airlines aircraft slide show:

Aegean Airlines unveils a new livery

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jqjD9vI1ZY&w=560&h=315%5D

Aegean Airlines has made this announcement:

A new era of growth has begun for AEGEAN, with the official reveal of its new livery and branding as well as the presentation of the first three new generation Airbus A320neo, equipped with latest technology Pratt & Whitney engines. Sealing a 20 years course of successful operation in Greece, AEGEAN sets a solid ground for the future.


Having already expanded the initial order with 12 additional aircraft, AEGEAN is expected to receive by 2025 a total of a minimum 46 aircraft, A320neo and A321neo, with an option for 12 additional aircraft (up to 58 aircraft). This is the largest private investment in Greece, valued at $2,5-3bn at market prices ($6-6,5bn at list prices). For the next 6 years, AEGEAN will invest more than $500mn per year for the expansion and modernization of its fleet. Until July 2020, AEGEAN will receive a total of 6 new aircraft reaching a fleet of 65 aircraft, adding 1.5 million seats (19 million seats in total for the year) and supporting the expansion of its network in 155 destinations and 44 countries in 2020.

Every new, additional aircraft will have a significant contribution in Greece’s economy, employment and tourism industry. Estimated at 100,000 new incoming tourists, €80 million direct tourism revenue, 70 new additional direct jobs in AEGEAN and ground operations, will have a positive impact  for the country.

During the event AEGEAN presented its new livery and brand identity. Inspired by the Greek sky and seas, historical architecture and the design heritage of our country, the new brand identity, livery and cabin are here to shape a dynamic future for AEGEAN and enhance passenger experience.


The new aircraft will start their flights within February, with the first aircraft operating the flight Athens-Munich on Friday, February 14th 2020.

Experience the revelation of AEGEAN’s new era here.
Read more on AEGEAN’s new livery and brand identity here.

About the investment

$6-6.5 bn. In list prices
$2.5-3 bn. In market prices
46 (+12 option) Airbus A320/321neo

The impact in economy, employment and environment per 1 additional new aircraft:

• +100,000 incoming tourists
• +80 ml direct tourism revenue for public revenue
• +70 new additional direct jobs in AEGEAN and Ground operations
• 19-23% less CO2 emissions per passenger seat than previous generation Airbus
• 50% less CO2 emissions per passenger seat Vs AEGEAN’S fleet in first years of operation
• + 2 hours additional flight time amounting to 600-1.500km additional range

The new aircraft at a glance

Engine: The new A320neo aircraft of AEGEAN, will be powered up by the advanced Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines which are expected to contribute to a substantial reduction of CO2 and NOx emissions levels per flight and passenger flown, while also significantly lowering the noise footprint.

Flight range: In addition, the reduced fuel consumption will serve to enhance AEGEAN’s competitiveness, as well as to offer range extension and enable the company to fly to new destinations.

Cabin: Aircraft will have a new seating configuration. The new seats combine ergonomics, reduced weight, extra comfort and modern aesthetics. They will also have reusable or fully recycled service kits.

Aegean carried 1 million more passengers in 2019 and announced a new passenger traffic record of 15 million

Aegean Airlines made this announcement:

Aegean Airlines set a new passenger traffic record in 2019, reaching the 15 million passenger threshold, recording a 7% increase in total passenger traffic for 2019; a significant achievement marking 20 years of operation. More specifically Aegean and Olympic Air carried 14.99 million passengers in 2019, nearly 1 million more than the previous year, offering 17.85 million seats in total.

The increase resulted the repeatedly enhanced investment at the international network, which continues to be the main driver of growth with 8.7 million passengers, an equivalent to an 11% increase. This increase was driven both from the Athens hub (+11%) as well as the regional bases of Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Chania, Rhodes, Kalamata (+ 8%) where they are growing at a significantly larger pace compared to the general trend of the country, which shows signs of reduction.

Domestic traffic also reported a marginal increase of 3%, despite the remaining significant burden of increased passenger VAT, which remains for four consecutive years (2016-2019) at 24%.

Load factor rate improved by almost 1 percentage point (pp), from 83.9% in 2018 to 84.8% in 2019.

Total Passenger Traffic

   2019  2018  %
 Domestic
6,296
 6,122
  3%
International 8,695
 7,849
  11%
Total network 14,991 13,971  7%

 

   2019 2018  %
Athens International traffic
 6,584
 5,930
  11%
GR international traffic (excluding Athens) 1,919 1,781  8%

Load Factor*

 

   2019  2018  %
Total
 84,80%
 83,90%
 +0,9% (pp)

*Scheduled Revenue passenger km divided by Available Seat km

Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of Aegean, commented “We achieved an 11% growth in international traffic and a 7% overall for 2019 by expanding our capacity mainly at the beginning and end of the traditional tourist season. We will continue to invest in expanding the tourist season and by offering enhanced quality services for our customers as this is at quest for achieving both sustainable development and growth for the company, tourism industry and the country.”

Aegean Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Aegean to expand in 2020 with new aircraft and a new base at Corfu

Aegean Airlines has made this announcement:

Aiming for 2020 to mark the starting point for greater growth and extroversion, Aegean invests in the further expansion of its network and the overall expansion of its business activity. With a significant capacity increase to 19.2 million seats, 1.5 million additional seats compared to 2019, AEGEAN will be operating in 155 destinations with 65 aircraft, including the first 6 Airbus of A320 / A321neo family expected to join the Aegean fleet by the first half of the year.

Aegean’s 2020 growth strategy rests on three pillars:

  • The expansion of its activity and presence in Thessaloniki, as well as the Corfu base, reaching 8 bases in total.
  • Continuous investment and focus on Athens, as the main hub of the company
  • The constant ongoing efforts for the extension of Greece’s tourism season

In this context, the company adds 11 new routes to its international network flight schedule from the bases of Athens, Thessaloniki and Corfu. Aegean is also adding 3 new destinations to its network directly to Birmingham, Paphos, Bilbao. Moreover, the company plans to increase capacity in another 47 international routes, adding 1.1 million seats to its annual activity and bringing the total capacity up to 11.4 million seats.

Specifically, Aegean has planned a plan of robust extroversion and potential growth for the city of Thessaloniki, with routes to Barcelona, Brussels, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Berlin, and an increase in international capacity by 25%. The company adds a total of 8 new destinations from Thessaloniki (6 international and 2 domestic), and invests in the upgrade of the overall passenger experience with a new 500m2 lounge.

At the same time, aiming to expand the coverage of the key tourism markets, Aegean is establishing a new base in Corfu, constituting its 8th base in Greece and Cyprus. In 2020, a scheduled route will be directly connecting Corfu to Paris, while 12 charter destinations will be added, offering additional 95,000 seats compared to the previous year, meeting thus, the island’s tourism demands.

Athens remains a landmark-destination for the overall performance of Greek Tourism in general, and Aegean in particular, but also serving as the company’s main hub for access to the country’s smaller islands. Τhe significant increase in capacity of the Athens network, planned for 2020, will once again stem from frequency increase in existing routes, expanding timetables for more routes, as well as the addition of four new destinations (Bilbao, Nuremberg, Paphos, Birmingham).

Aegean aircraft photo gallery:

 

Aegean Airlines announces the expansion in Cyprus by adding two new routes, Pafos – Athens and Larnaka – Beirut

Aegean Airlines Airbus A321-231 SX-DVZ (msn 3820) LHR (Andi Hiltl). Image: 948198.

Aegean Airlines has announced the expansion of its activity in Cyprus by adding two new routes, Pafos – Athens and Larnaka – Beirut and by that enhances its continuing presence in Cyprus and its strategic commitment to further expand activity through investing in increased capacity during the winter season.

From December 12, 2019, and onwards Aegean will connect Athens with Pafos with two weekly scheduled flights throughout the year, with the possibility of adding a third flight during peak season, thereby increasing accessibility, through new connections to key markets of the international network.

The new popular destination adds to the already existing connectivity from Cyprus, and along with the new direct route from Larnaca to Beirut, which already runs twice a week from October 7, 2019, Aegean will operate a total of 5 destinations from Cyprus (Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Tel Aviv and Beirut).

By adding these two new routes, Aegean plans to increase capacity in the international network by 2020, offering 1.12m. seats overall from Cyprus, up 6% year-over-year, providing even more options and improved passenger connections.

Top Copyright Photo: Aegean Airlines Airbus A321-231 SX-DVZ (msn 3820) LHR (Andi Hiltl). Image: 948198.

Aegean Airlines aircraft slide show:

Athens joins Air Italy network thanks to a new agreement with Aegean Airlines

Air Italy has made this announcement:

Starting on July 10, 2019, Air Italy has added Athens as a new destination to its network, thanks to the signing of a new Special Prorate Agreement with Aegean Airlines.

Air Italy passengers traveling from the four US destinations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and New York – and from Toronto can now easily reach the Greek capital via Air Italy’s Milan Malpensa hub, continuing with flights directly to Athens on Aegean Airlines.

In addition, all Air Italy customers departing from the main airports of central and southern Italy, such as Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania, Lamezia Terme, Cagliari and Olbia will now have the opportunity to fly Athens via Malpensa.