Greek Airline SKY express to Boost Fleet in 2024 with Six New Aircraft

SKY express plans to welcome six new aircraft into its fleet by June 2024, according to the Greek airline’s head, Ioannis Grylos.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the naming ceremony of its new Airbus A321neo aircraft at Glafkos Clerides airport in Larnaca, Cyprus, Grylos, the founder and president of IOGR Group of which SKY express is a member company, referred to the company’s investment plan for the coming year, which includes the addition of new-generation aircraft.

SKY express is expected to take delivery of four ATR72-600 aircraft by April 2024 and two Airbus A320neo between April and June, increasing its fleet to 30 aircraft. The airline’s fleet currently comprises 24 aircraft, of which 11 are Airbus – eight A320neo, two A321neo and one A320ceo.

Two of two new Airbus aircraft scheduled to join SKY express’ fleet in the first half of 2024 will initially perform charter flights and move on to scheduled flights from October.

IOGR Group Founder & President Ioannis Grylos speaking to the media at Glafkos Clerides airport in Larnaca, Cyprus.

Grylos told the media that the new aircraft will have CFM engines rather than Pratt and Whitney, which have recorded significant problems recently.

Staying on the subject of the engines, he highlighted that although CFM engines are more expensive, they ensure 20 percent less C02 emissions and therefore are more friendly to the environment.

Touching on the same subject, the company’s CEO, Konstantinos Iliakis, said the 20 percent less fuel consumption by the aircraft should have a positive impact on the company’s pricing policy.

Record year performance

Regarding performance in 2023, SKY express is seeing an impressive rise in all indicators.

By the end of the year, the airline’s turnover is expected to reach 350-360 million euros with high profitability. Total passenger traffic is expected to exceed 4.5 million of the total 5.7 million available seats (capacity). Passenger traffic in 2022 was 3.8 million.

Moreover, the company this year managed to boost its share in the domestic market, reaching 33 percent, up from from 28 percent last year.

It should be noted that according to Eurocontrol data, Sky express is the European airline with the largest increase in flights for 2022 compared to 2019.

New destinations

IOGR Group Founder & President Ioannis Grylos during the naming ceremony of SKY express’ Airbus A321neo aircraft at Glafkos Clerides airport in Larnaca, Cyprus.

Regarding new destinations, Grylos also announced that new destinations will be added to SKY express’ next winter schedule.

“The new itineraries will be announced from the moment we are ready to launch them,” he said.

“SKY express is a creative company that is growing and improving. We place high importance on development and creating new products, flexible for the consumer,” Grylos added.

2024 looks promising

According to the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Gerasimos Skaltsas, 2024 is starting with very good prospects.

“Pre-bookings for the next year have already exceeded those made at this time last year by 75 percent,” he told the media.

Among other plans, SKY express is expected to launch new partnerships with two airlines, one from the UK and the other from the United Arab Emirates.

The airline already has major agreements with a number of global carriers including Delta, American Airlines, Emirates, Air France, KLM and Qatar Airways.

SKY express in October was honored by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) for outstanding achievements in airline excellence and innovation.