Cycladic, Greece’s first airline exclusively linking islands, performed its first flight this week, with passengers including the head of the South Aegean Regional Authority, Giorgos Hatzimarkos.
The carrier, operated by private jet and helicopter management company Ifly SA, will at first have a point-to-point network interconnecting Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, Syros, Crete (Hania and Iraklio) and Rhodes, with flights ranging between 20 and 80 minutes. The average cost for a trip is around 200 euros, placing the airline’s services in the so-called “affordable luxury” market.
Tickets can be purchased either online or through agencies. The airline has its own codes, like all flights, and check-in will take place as normal at airport desks, like all other commercial flights. The third Cessna Grand Caravan EX in their fleet will remain available for lease to operate private flights.
“The vision is to increase the connection between the Greek islands in a quick and easy way, while the aim is not only to create an exclusive tourist product but also a service that will facilitate the movement of the islands’ permanent residents throughout the year,” a Cycladic spokesperson said.
“We cannot talk about sustainable tourism if the actions of the people in the sector do not substantially improve the daily life of the residents in the destinations concerned.”
The airline will operate on a 12-monthly basis, and it is stated that it will “not operate for subsidised destinations” and is “purely a private initiative and investment.” In the summer Milos will also be added to destinations, Kathimerini reported.
The project’s fleet consists of three Cessna Grand Caravan 208BEX high-wing turboprop aircraft, which fly at low altitudes. Cycladic’s future plans include the purchase of more aircraft and electric planes.
