SKY express Shows Robust Growth in Q1 2023, Aims to Fly Higher

SKY express Chief Commercial Officer Gerasimos Skaltsas.

Greek airline SKY express showed a strong set of results for the first three months of 2023 with robust growth in terms of flights, passengers and revenue.

“2022 was clearly a milestone year both for SKY express and for Greek tourism, following two very difficult years that tested our strengths and saw the country’s tourism sector exceed all expectations,” according to the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Gerasimos Skaltsas.

Speaking during a media event in Athens, Skaltsas said the number of total SKY express flights during January-March 2023 increased by 11 percent, compared to the same period in 2022, exceeding 10,000. Compared to the pre-Covid first quarter of 2019, the increase in the company’s flights is up to 69 percent.

Moreover, the company’s passengers increased by 50 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2022, reaching 730,000.

“Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the increase in passengers reaches 390 percent,” Skaltsas said, adding the company’s total revenue has increased by 73 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2022, to 48 million euros, driven by the higher growth of international flights. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the increase reaches 489 percent.

Forecast for 2023

Looking ahead, Skaltsas said the company expects turnover to reach 360 million euros this year compared to 262 million euros in 2022 and 79 million euros in 2019.

He added that the airline aims to fly 4.4 million passengers this year, up from 3.5 million in 2022 and 1.1 million in 2019.

SKY express this year has some 54,000 flights scheduled to more than 65 destinations, up from 50,000 flights (56 destinations) in 2022 and 32,500 flights (30 destinations) in 2019.

During his presentation, Skaltsas said that SKY express, with its modern and environmentally friendly fleet, is “Greece’s ambassador” and therefore focused to help attract more visitors to the country and support efforts to establish the country as a 365-day destination.

Moreover, aiming to strengthen the country’s tourist traffic this summer, Skaltsas said that SKY express has added more than 3.8 million seats on offer, increased by half a million compared to 2022.

SKY express Chief Commercial Officer Gerasimos Skaltsas giving data on the company’s growth at Athens Airport.

AIA: SKY express is a success story for Athens Airport

During the event, Athens International Airport (AIA) Communication & Marketing Director Ioanna Papadopoulou said SKY express for the fifth year in a row is the fastest growing airline at Athens Airport.

“SKY express marks a unique success story for Athens International Airport… With a market share of only 2.5 percent in 2019, today it holds almost 13,5 percent of our market, thanks to an excellent and modern aviation product, proper strategy and a team of people who daily plan with enthusiasm, care and utmost professionalism the next steps of the company,” Papadopoulou said.

Athens International Airport (AIA) Communication & Marketing Director Ioanna Papadopoulou.

According to data, SKY express this year recorded an increase of 175 percent in seats on offer from / to Athens Airport compared to the corresponding summer season of 2019. This increase for the entire SKY express network corresponds to 200 percent.

“This summer we are moving forward with our airline partner and of course we are by its side as it continues to grow as successfully in the Athens market,” Papadopoulou added.

SKY express is marking the 2023 summer season with a 14 percent increase in estimated passengers at AIA, from 1,910,000 in summer 2022 to 2,330,000 in the corresponding period of 2023.

In total, SKY express will strengthen Greece’s tourist traffic this summer with more than 3.8 million seats on offer, up by 20 percent compared to last year.

SKY express has the largest network of domestic destinations (34) and serves 27 through Athens Airport. Another five of the company’s destinations are exclusively served from/to AIA.
The airline flies to 29 international destinations in 12 countries. Nine international destinations in 8 countries are served through AIA.

Business Class to launch in July

During the event, SKY express Revenue Products Manager Eleanna Michalakopoulou presented the airline’s new products and services for passengers.

“SKY express is taking a new approach to air travel… Our new products and services combine sustainability, comfort and the most refined experience that every traveler seeks,” Michalakopoulou said and announced that SKY express would be adding a product that was missing from its planes: a business class.

SKY express Revenue Products Manager Eleanna Michalakopoulou

Launching in July on international routes, the airline’s business class will be named “Bliss” and will offer passengers priority at every stage of the trip: free access to VIP Lounges, possibility of carrying extra luggage and kilos in them, fine dining options and in-flight entertainment. The new service will gradually expand to most of the airline’s network.

SKY express will also launch a new preorder meal service for passengers. Dubbed “Drinks and Bites”, the service will allow passengers themselves to choose if they want to have a meal and what during a flight. Due to be released in a few days along with a preorder menu, the new service aims to eliminate food waste and gives passengers the option to choose and order their meal up to a few hours before a flight.

Another new product of SKY express is “SKY Forward” which is made available to passengers who want to earn a certain amount of money for their air travel during a year with great flexibility and without restrictions.

Sustainability

SKY express Head of Sustainability Pantelis Spagis.

SKY express’ fleet counts 23 aircraft and is the greenest fleet in Greece and one of the most environmentally friendly in Europe.

Acccording to the company’s head of sustainability, Pantelis Spagis, SKY express is systematically implementing green practices.

“We have achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions of 37,716 tons in 2022 and 4,849 tons so far in 2023 – a reduction that corresponds to the annual emissions of 9,253 passenger vehicles,” he said..