Local Tourism Bodies Encourage Greek Airlines to Vie for Ioannina-Heraklion Route

Photo source: Ioannina Airport.

Hospitality and tourism bodies in the Ioannina prefecture are calling on AEGEAN and SKY express airlines to participate in an international tender for the Ioannina–Heraklion (Crete) air route.

The deadline for the e-competition seeking to commission the remote region connection is July 17.

In addition to the financial benefits, the letters of invitation sent to both Greek airlines stress that the inclusion of the Ioannina-Heraklion connection on the remote region route list also signifies “the beginning of a new era for tourism and the development of the wider region of Epirus and the prefecture” creating countless new opportunities.

Ioannina, Greece.

Among others, air connectivity between Ioannina and Crete will facilitate individual travel, school trips, combined tourism programs and packages (city breaks, mountain and sea programs, visits to the national parks of Vikos, Aoos and Samaria, wellness, gastronomy, outdoor activities, historical and cultural monuments etc.).

The letters go on to add that air connectivity throughout the year will establish Ioannina as transportation hub serving the wider region, including Western Macedonia, the Ionian Islands, Etoloakarnania and Southern Albania.

“It is clear that the specific air route will prove to be beneficial not only for the two regions but also for the airline awarded the concession,” reads the letter signed by local tourism and hospitality services providers.