Athens International Airport “El. Venizelos” and SKY express hosted a unique ceremony to welcome their partners and usher in the new travel season.
Representatives of the largest travel agencies in the nation, the larger tourism industry, and the media were welcomed to an event co-hosted by Athens International Airport and SKY express at the Arion Veranda of the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens to celebrate and discuss the possibilities for this summer.
Sky Express offers a novel method of flying travel.
SKY express has operated and expanded its business in accordance with the sustainable mobility model during the course of its years of operation. This strategic choice places environmental protection at the centre of its daily operations. At the same time, traveling with SKY express, apart from a unique and personalized travel experience, is also an environmentally responsible choice for the passenger.
In light of everything mentioned above, Eleanna Michalakopoulou, revenue products manager for SKY express, unveiled new goods and services that combine comfort, sustainability, and the most luxurious travel experience possible.
BITES & DRINK – PREORDER
The decision to use SKY express for transportation is one that the passenger can feel good about. The company’s customers choose whether and what meals they want to eat during the flight, thus they are not required to eat anything or pay for it as part of the cost of their ticket. In fact, the readily available meals don’t need to be heated, which further lowers energy requirements and the resulting carbon footprint. The new Preorder service, which eliminates food waste by allowing customers to choose and order their meal up to a few hours before the flight, will be made available alongside the updated catalogue in the coming days. The Preorder menu will be even richer and premium with special dishes and a wide variety of foods and drinks, catered to cover all the needs and eating habits of passengers.
Bliss
The Bliss Business class is unique. Bliss, I say. The new service will begin operating on international routes in July 2023. It will gradually cover the majority of the SKY express network and provide passengers with priority treatment at all times, free access to VIP Lounges, the ability to check additional bags and kilos in them, upscale dining options and in-flight entertainment.
Forward Sky
Another recent offering named SKY Forward is made available to travellers who wish to earn a specific amount of money for their annual air travel with the greatest level of freedom and flexibility.
Through a very simple procedure the passenger can buy a SKY Forward package for the entire SKY express network. For example, by purchasing a package of €1,000, one pays only €800 and redeems it, wherever they want, whenever they want, on as many flights as they want and with whomever they want, simply by paying the taxes of the respective airport.
It is worth noting that all new programs implemented by SKY express will now be linked to programs carried out within the framework of its corporate social mission. For this reason, these actions will always be related to a purpose to support targeted actions that respond to specific, mapped needs of the society. Therefore, part of the proceeds from said actions will be dedicated to a cause.
During the event, Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer of SKY express, presented the company’s key figures during the first quarter of 2023, following a dynamic course that creates value for both Athens International Airport and all its shareholders.
In detail:
- Total flights increased by 11% (compared to the same period in 2022) exceeding 10,000. Compared to the first quarter of 2019 (pre-Covid-19 period) the increase in flights is up to 69%.
- The company’s passengers increased by 50% (compared to the first quarter of 2022), reaching 730,000. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the increase reaches 390%
- The total revenue of the company has increased by 73% (compared to the first quarter of 2022) reaching €48 million, driven by the higher growth of international flights. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the increase reaches 489%.
- The exponential organic growth of the company’s size was supported by a strong increase in jobs that now exceed 660, with 390 new hires in the four-year period 2019-2022, which also includes the period of the pandemic.
- SKY express’s green fleet, which is the newest fleet in Greece and most environmentally friendly in Europe, travels to the largest network of domestic destinations (34) and to 29 international destinations in 12 countries. Of the domestic destinations, 27 are served through Athens International Airport with 5 exclusively served from/to Athens International Airport. Regarding international destinations through the “El. Venizelos”, 9 destinations in 8 countries are served.
In addition, regarding the Athens International Airport “El. Venizelos”SKY express:
- For the fifth year in a row, it is the fastest growing airline with a market share of 13.5% in 2023, compared to 2.5% in 2019.
- Recorded an increase of 175% in seats on offer from / to “El. Venizelos” – compared to the corresponding summer season of 2019. This increase for the entire SKY express network corresponds to 200%
- Marks the 2023 summer season with a 22% increase in estimated passengers in Athens International Airport – from 1,910,000 in the summer period of 2022 to 2,330,000 in the corresponding period of 2023.
Source: traveldailymedia