SKY Express: Robust organic growth with new products & environmentally responsible proposals

In a special event SKY express and Athens International Airport “El. Venizelos” welcomed their partners marking the beginning of the new tourist season.

At an event jointly organized by Athens International Airport and SKY express at the Arion Veranda of the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, representatives of the country’s largest travel agencies, the wider tourism industry and the media were welcomed to celebrate and discuss the prospects of this summer.

New approach to air travel with SKY EXPRESS
SKY express, throughout the years of its activity, operates and develops operationally following the model of sustainable mobility. This is a strategic decision that puts environmental protection at the core of its operational activity. 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 the context of all the above, Eleanna Michalakopoulou, Revenue Products manager of SKY express presented, for the first time, new products and services that combine sustainability, comfort and the most refined experience that every traveller seeks.

DRINKS & BITES – PREORDER
Travelling with SKY express is an environmentally responsible choice for the passenger. The passengers of the company are neither obliged to consume food, nor burdened with these costs in the price of their ticket, since they themselves choose if and what meal they want to enjoy during the flight. In fact, the available meals do not require heat treatment, further reducing energy needs and the associated footprint. The updated catalogue is due to be released in a few days along with the new Preorder service, thanks to which food waste is eliminated, as passengers are able to choose and order their meal up to a few hours before the flight. 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
Business class is different. It’s Bliss. And it is going to be launched in July 2023 on international routes, the new service will gradually expand to most of SKY express’s network 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.

SKY Forward
SKY Forward is the name of another new product 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.

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.

FORECAST FOR 2023

The data of SKY express’s robust organic growth predicts an upward trend for 2023 and the forecast is reflected in:

• 54,000 flights
• 4,400,000 passengers
• More than 65 destinations
• 360 million estimated revenue

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