Volotea

Greek and foreign airlines are increasing their routes to and from Athens and other top tourism destinations in Greece for the 2025 summer season by airlines that continue to identify more demand for the Greek tourism product. 

The renovation and expansion projects for Greece’s largest airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, are set to begin in the first quarter of 2025, with early indications showing positive pre-bookings for the 2024/2025 winter season.

Approximately two thirds (65%) of the population of the European Union live in small and medium-sized cities with nonexistent or limited air connections.

At the same time, 800 out of 1,200 small and medium-sized cities - with a population up to 2 million people each - are not served by an airplane.

The Greek stock market closed in the red, but far from the day’s lows, in a session marked by strong import pressure. The “breach” of 1,430 points proved to be temporary, with sellers gradually “downshifting” and eventually calmness prevailed on the board.

Aegean Airlines has invested 25 million euros in low-cost Spanish carrier Volotea, an investment that could eventually be twice that amount and offer the Greek national carrier key synergies.

Greek and foreign airlines are investing even more this year in the strong prospects of Greek tourism, as well as of Athens International Airport.

German national carrier Lufthansa said Wednesday it was scrapping another 2,000 flights this summer because of staff shortages, adding to a chaotic travel season as the industry attempts to bounce back from the pandemic.

The cancellations between now and the end of August will affect Lufthansa's hubs in Munich and Frankfurt, a company spokesman told AFP.

Aegean Airlines may have its sights fixed on this summer season, but it is also making long-term plans that will give the carrier increased flexibility.

Oversubscribing the bond it issued early last month is one of the weapons in its management's arsenal, strengthening the firm's negotiating position as it discussed the funding of the new aircraft delivery with its creditors.

A Spanish low cost airline Volotea plane flying from the Aegean island of Mykonos to Venice made an emergency landing in the Greek capital on Tuesday after the crew reported a problem with one of the engines, reports say.

The aircraft landed at Athens International Airport, early reports said without giving further details.

Spanish airline Volotea started flights to and from Athens International Airport on Friday with a flight from Athens to Venice that will run until October.

The Barcelona-based airline has operational bases in Venice, Nantes, Bordeaux and Palermo and specializes in connecting medium and small European cities. This year it will link Venice, Santorini, Palermo, Pisa/Tuscany and Bari.