Sky Express: How the Low-Cost Airline Conquering Greece Flies

History and positioning

Born as a small regional carrier in Crete, Sky Express changed scale starting from the second half of the 2010s, turning into a low-cost airline able to compete directly with Aegean on Greek domestic routes. The sharpest growth is recent: from about 1 million passengers before the pandemic, the company reached almost 3.8 million passengers in 2024, confirming a trend that continues in 2025.

The fleet

The fleet combines two aircraft families with distinct roles: the Airbus A320neo on the highest-demand routes and on international connections, and the ATR 72-600 on the smaller islands and low-traffic routes, where a turboprop remains more efficient. It is one of the youngest fleets in Greece, with an average age of around 4-5 years for the A320neos and even lower for the ATRs, a figure that counts for a lot in fuel consumption and reliability.

Routes and network

Sky Express serves the largest domestic network in Greece, with 33 domestic destinations covering small islands often reachable otherwise only by long sea crossings. Over the past two years international expansion has accelerated: foreign destinations from Athens have risen from 15 to 22, with the addition of routes to Amsterdam, Istanbul, Vienna, Prague, Yerevan, Tbilisi and Tirana, and further connections to Berlin, Hamburg, Lisbon, Madrid and Lyon are planned for 2025.

Fares and baggage

The fare model follows the low-cost scheme now standard in Europe: a base fare without checked baggage, with surcharges for a suitcase, seat selection and priority boarding that can be purchased separately. On routes to the smaller islands, where competition is more limited, fares tend to stay more rigid than on the main routes to Athens, where Aegean's competitive pressure keeps prices more aggressive.

What passengers say

• Generally good punctuality on short-haul domestic routes.
• Fleet perceived as modern and comfortable compared with the regional average.
• Friendly cabin crew on flights to the islands.

• Customer service less responsive in the peak summer periods, when passenger volume grows quickly.
• Ground handling at the smaller airports still being adapted to the growth in flights.

Sky Express is the most sensible choice for anyone who wants to reach the smaller Greek islands without depending on ferries, or who is looking for a cheaper alternative to Aegean on the main domestic routes. It is less suitable for those who need a broad and established network of international connections, since the overseas expansion is still recent and does not cover every season with the same frequency. A practical tip: on routes to the smaller islands, book weeks ahead in high season, because ATR 72 capacity is limited and seats sell out sooner than on an A320 on the main routes.