By Margarita Manousou
margarita.manousou1@gmail.com
The news on the development of SKY express is of great interest to the travelling public.
SKY express: big, modern and even “greener”
Dynamic organic growth, strengthening the country’s greenest fleet of aircraft
AIRBUS
A
321
neo
, international accolades and a constantly expanding international network
From left: Mr. Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer, SKY express, Ms. Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communication & Marketing, Athens International Airport, Mr. Theodoros Krokidas, President, SKY express, Mrs. Vasso Christidi, General Manager of IOGR Group and Mr. George Liubis, General Manager, SKY express
EXPONENTIAL ORGANIC GROWTH
At an event organized jointly by Athens International Airport and SKY express on January 18th, they welcomed 2023 with the cutting of the traditional Christmas cake and presented the key figures that SKY express achieved in 2022, following a successful course that creates value for Athens International Airport.
More specifically, compared to 2019:
- Total flights in 2022 were up by almost 50% to over 49,000, covering 34 domestic and 24 international destinations.
- The airline’s passenger numbers in 2022 almost tripled, reaching 3,500,000, reflecting the introduction of two AIRBUS A320neos into the fleet.
- In 2022, the company’s total estimated revenues more than tripled to €267 million, driven by higher growth in international flights.
- Similarly, with the maturation of international routes, the average revenue per passenger in 2022 almost doubled.
- The average occupancy rate improved by 20 percentage points during 2022, demonstrating the dynamics of the company’s commercial proposition, its operational efficiency and contributing to the return of tourist traffic close to 2019 levels.
- This organic growth in the company’s figures was supported by strong job growth, reaching 619 in 2022, with 390 new hires in the four-year period 2019-2022, including the pandemic period (based on data from 31/08/2022).
For 2020 in particular, it is worth noting that, although it was a year of pandemic as a whole, with the economy being closed and its impact being overwhelming, the company not only demonstrated resilience, but also proceeded with the design and implementation of its investment plan, on the basis of which it created and implemented its business model. In this way, it has changed the Greek aviation market and contributed to shaping the competitive environment in the country.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
This growth is reflected in Eurocontrol’s figures, which show SKY express as the European airline with the highest growth in flight operations for 2022 compared to 2019.
It is worth noting that, despite the impressive increase in its flight operations, SKY express consistently served all its flights throughout the 2022 summer season (without any cancellations), contributing substantially to the development of Athens International Airport. As a result, based on the relevant data of Athens International Airport, SKY express was named the fastest growing airline for the 5th consecutive year. In addition, from 2019 to 2022, the airline has carried 5,691,609 passengers at Athens International Airport.
At the same time, thanks to Skyserv, the ground handling company of the IOGR Group to which SKY express belongs, it recorded the fewest problems in a period that was very demanding for all airports in Europe.
These figures confirm the strong growth path of SKY express, which is now recognized abroad as one of the most dynamic organizations in the air transport sector.
A SINGLE CASE STUDY UNDER THE SEAL OF GOOGLE
True to its commitment to digital transformation, the company made use of Google’s most advanced tools(travel insights) to achieve targeted and personalized communication to prospective travelers on an international level, in the most friendly and direct way. The result of this project ranked SKY express in the top three of European airlines that increased their online traffic compared to 2019. An international case study from Greece and SKY express , with Google’s stamp of approval. This advanced digital marketing strategy was also recognized locally with relevant awards that made SKY express a brand of the year.
EVEN HIGHER IN 2023 WITH NEW INVESTMENTS: ADDENDUM 2 AIRBUS A321neo INTO THE STYLE
The company is scheduled to take delivery of its first twoA321neo aircraft in Q2 2023. According to the aircraft manufacturer, the A321neo model is the largest version of the A320 family.
With these two new additions to its fleet, the company is actively strengthening the level of social and environmental responsibility of its flight operations.
It is worth noting that the positive environmental footprint can be summarised as follows:
- 5,000 tonnes (11 023 113 lb) lowerCO2 footprint per year per aircraft
- Approximately 50% lower noise footprint compared to the previous generation Airbus
- 25% less fuel consumption/seat
- Increased flight range by 500 nm / 926 km
In addition, with improved available space per passenger, the new aircraft combine ergonomics, comfort and additional storage space, offering SKY express passengers an enhanced travel experience.
As stated by κ. Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer of SKY express“Flying higher every day, SKY express will continue to lead the development in the air transport sector, to support the Greek economy, Greek tourism and especially the passengers by providing competitive and high quality air services. The addition of our first two AIRBUS A321 neo demonstrates our steady upward trend, which is constantly being reinforced with new ideas, new products and well-trained human resources, so that we are able to plan our future with optimism.”
Η Director of Communication & Marketing of Athens International Airport, Ms. Ioanna Papadopoulou stated:
“We are particularly pleased that together with SKY express we presented today the absolutely successful performance of our excellent airline partner at Athens International Airport, as well as the certain prospects for even greater growth in 2023! SKY express is truly a unique success story for our airport, for our city and for the Greek and international aviation market in general.
The fact that it has more than quadrupled its market share in Athens during the period 2019 – 2022, showing a triple-digit growth rate, is particularly significant and becomes even more important and valuable if we take into account that it happened in a period of time that was critical for aviation and tourism. This highly successful course would not have been possible without the excellent, modern and “green” aviation product, the right strategy and the enthusiastic team of the company’s people who are planning its developmental future on a daily basis!
For our part, we confirm our support to our airline partner and wish SKY express every success, safe and full flights and continuous and dynamic growth!”
About the
SKY
express
H SKY express, member of the Board of Directors of ERA, is the fastest growing European airline. It has the largest network of domestic destinations (34) and serves 24 international destinations. It has concluded important agreements interline with global carriers, such as Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, easy jet, Delta, Emirates, American Airlines, Air Transat, Condor etc.
In the last two years it has modernised its fleet with the acquisition of 8 new vessels. AIRBUS A320neo, a AIRBUS A320ceo and 6 ATR 72-600, making one of the world’s largest investments in aviation. With the addition in 2023 of two AIRBUS A321neo, the fleet of SKY express is to number 23 aircraft, continuing to operate the youngest and greenest fleet in Greece and one of the most environmentally friendly in Europe.
