Warm Welcome for SKY express at Istanbul Airport – Daily Direct Flights from Athens

On the occasion of the inaugural flight of SKY express to Istanbul Airport (iGA), a celebratory event was organized by the airport, attended by the Founder and Chairman of the IOGR Group, Mr. Ioannis Grylos.

On Tuesday, November 12, SKY express launched its first direct flight between Athens and Istanbul, now offering daily connectivity between the two destinations.

At the welcoming ceremony held at Istanbul Airport for this maiden flight, attendees included officials from the Greek Consulate General, the CEO of Istanbul Airport’s management authority İGA, Mr. Selahattin Bilgen, members of the airport's management, and a representative of the Turkish tourism organization Go Türkiye. Representing SKY express were the Founder and Chairman of the IOGR Group, which owns SKY express, Mr. Ioannis Grylos, Commercial Director Mr. Gerasimos Skaltsas, and other company executives. During the event, Mr. Grylos received an honorary award from the CEO of Istanbul Airport in recognition of SKY express’s contribution to the strategic development of İGA Istanbul Airport. Specifically, the entry of SKY express into the airport strengthens its position, making it second globally, just two spots behind the world’s leading airport.

As Mr. Grylos emphasized: “We are particularly proud of the connection we inaugurated today, which establishes daily links between Athens and Istanbul, uniting the two countries, Greece and Turkey. We are already considering increasing flight frequencies and connecting more Greek destinations with Turkey, especially our islands. This new addition to the SKY express network reflects our commitment to enhancing Greece’s tourism product and the country’s connectivity.”

Similarly, the CEO of İGA Istanbul Airport, Mr. Selahattin Bilgen, stated: “These flights will enhance communication between the two countries and boost tourism on both sides. With SKY express’s entry, Istanbul Airport is now the second airport globally hosting the most airlines.”

The new connection strengthens SKY express’s international network and confirms the company’s unwavering focus on expanding into strategic markets that promote Greece as a sought-after travel destination year-round. At the same time, it offers high-quality services and affordable options to passengers, ensuring seamless daily connectivity between two iconic cities with significant cultural and business relevance.

This route is served by SKY express’s state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo aircraft, with an average fleet age of just 3.5 years. These aircraft provide reduced environmental and noise footprints, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable development.

SKY express, Greece’s leading airline, boasts the largest domestic network with 33 destinations and is continuously expanding its international network. By early December, the company will have integrated seven new destinations (Amsterdam, Vienna, Yerevan, Istanbul, Prague, Tbilisi, Tirana), bringing its direct international destinations to 22.