SKY express’s first flight to Barcelona takes off

Five direct flights a week now connect Athens with the Catalan capital

With its inaugural flight on Thursday 22 October, SKY express launched its new direct Athens–Barcelona route. The route will operate five times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) with Airbus A320neo aircraft, making Barcelona the airline’s second destination in Spain, after Madrid.

Passengers on the first flight were welcomed at the departure gate of Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” by SKY express and airport executives, together with “Philos the Athenian”, the airport’s official mascot, in a festive setting. Each passenger received a commemorative first-flight certificate and gifts from the airline, in a special experience marking the launch of the new route.

With the new direct link to Barcelona, SKY express further expands its international network, offering passengers more choice for travel abroad. The new route creates ideal conditions for year-round city breaks as well as business travel, offering greater flexibility and more travel options between the two cities. At the same time, it further strengthens the airline’s presence on the Iberian Peninsula, where SKY express now serves three key destinations directly: Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon. The airline continues to invest in connecting Athens with strategic European markets, responding to the needs of today’s travellers.

Mr Gerasimos Skaltsas, Chief Commercial Officer of SKY express said: «Barcelona marks another important step in expanding SKY express’s international footprint and further strengthens our presence on the Iberian Peninsula, a region of strategic importance for our network. With this new addition, our international network now numbers 29 destinations, offering Greek travellers even more choice for travel abroad. At the same time, visitors from Spain can continue their journey via Athens to the 33 destinations of the country’s largest domestic network. The particularly positive response from passengers to the first flights to and from Barcelona confirms the momentum of the new route and its importance for air travel between Greece and Spain.»

Ms Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications & Marketing at Athens International Airport said: «The launch of the new direct Athens–Barcelona route by SKY express further enhances the connectivity and air network of Athens with one of Europe’s most important and most popular metropolises, one that combines Mediterranean identity, culture, unique architecture and gastronomy. This new venture confirms the continued growth of the SKY express network to leading international destinations with strong demand and strategic importance. We are delighted to welcome the new route, which offers even more choice to the travelling public, and we wish our airline partner every success!»