Chania is one of the most important stations in the Aegean airlines network, which has 25 years of stable and dynamic development to and from Chania, as announced in an event held in Chania, in the presence of representatives from the Region of Great britain . Crete, the local government, worldwide room, hotel and business people.
Next to his management Aegean Fraport executives were present,confirming the dynamics of the airline and the excellent results of their cooperation and collaboration,with the aim of serving tourists,visitors and the public transported to and from Chania.
According to Aegean CEO Dimitris Gerogianni: “This year we are approaching 25 years of hard work and very good cooperation with the local bodies, the region, the municipal authorities, the representatives of the hotels, travel agents, cooperation which is the basis with him. it has a common goal to draw attention to the rich tourism product and the remarkable experience offered by Chania and the wider region”.
Aegean airline has been operating to and from Chania for 25 years, which are the years of its existence, having carried more than 9 million passengers during these years and one of its 7 operational bases at Chania airport. According to details from Mr. geroyannis, “For 2024 we close with 630,000 passengers in the domestic and international network, to and from Chania, which represents an increase of 5% compared to 2023. For 2025 we plan to offer a further increase in seats and this despite the problems in the supply chain of the aviation industry, we live in the post-covid period”.
Specifically, for the international network, Aegean is planning a 20% increase in the number of seats offered, with an emphasis on the Scandinavian market, which the CEO of the company is a very important market for Chania and the wider region, “. . .a market we have also been serving from Chania and to Chania for the last 12 years”. Regarding the domestic network, it is planned to start a new route connecting Chania to Rhodes, starting from 2025 with flights twice a week for the start and during the summer months the flights will increase to four weeks, specifically every Thursday, Friday and Monday. “In this way there is an overall increase in our activity this year from Chania airport for both domestic and foreign destinations”, said Mr.Geroginnis.
For his part, the General Manager of Development of Fraport of Greece, Giorgos Velos, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Aegean, praised the cooperation of the two companies, speaking of Aegean as a strategic partner, a fellow traveler in those eight years. Fraport was active in airport management. He even explained that the partnership with Aegean is not at all accidental, as Chania “is a strategic destination for us, a destination when we started managing the airport in 2007 we had about 3 million passengers and in this year we will reach 4 million passengers, an increase of 35% that our company did this only in cooperation with all the airlines that have an aegean role in the development of Chania. will also be crucial for the future”. Mr. Vilos also stated that the reason that Chania is a strategic destination for Fraport is also the fact that: “From here in 2018 we started strategies for cooperation such as the Aegean, with Eurobank, the hotel Association, rooms for the promotion of chania which lead to tangible results, as we can see from the increase in passenger traffic during the regional months as well, where which was and is requested.We see that traffic is already in October and November in Chania over 35% compared to pre-pandemic levels. And it’s a promise we’ve made as a company, and I believe, with everyone’s cooperation, that the goal is slowly being reached.”
regarding the operation of the radar for the airport and the wider service area, said Mr. Vilos said that this is a process that has started, “…the task has been given to the contractor and everything is moving according to the program”. Regarding whether the services provided by the airport in Chania meet the standards of other airports abroad, he emphasized the following: “The issue is not what we believe, but what data from the research that we do at our airports, in the 14 that we do. to work. During the year, we conduct a survey with questionnaires for all visitors, which go to a foreign database for full transparency, and the conclusion that comes from it is indeed that our airports have nothing to envy from similar airports abroad”.
The deputy governor of Chania Nikolaos Kalogeris, the general secretary of the municipality Giorgos Fragiadakis, the president of the Chania Association Antonis Rokakis and the president of the union of Innkeepers Manolis Stamatakis wished that the positive results for Chania would continue. in particular,the president of the hotels emphasized that the cooperation with the Aegean has been effective for all these 25 years,and he wished that it would continue and that the result would be that the people who come to Chania always more and better quality and they are better and create better cooperation infrastructures,so that the tourism product is made better.
Source: RES-MPE
How has Aegean Airlines adapted its services to meet the evolving needs of travelers post-COVID?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Aegean Airlines Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good afternoon, and welcome to this special edition of Time.news. I’m thrilled to have with us today Mr. Dimitris Gerogiannis, the CEO of Aegean Airlines. Dimitris, congratulations on the recent event celebrating 25 years of Aegean airlines’ operations in Chania! Could you tell us what this milestone means to you and the airline?
Dimitris Gerogiannis (DG): Thank you! This milestone is incredibly significant for us. It represents not just our commitment to Chania but also the growth of tourism in this lovely region over the past 25 years. We have forged strong partnerships with local authorities, businesses, and the tourism sector, with a common goal of showcasing Chania’s rich cultural and past offerings.
TNE: That collaboration seems vital. You mentioned the importance of working together with local stakeholders. How have these relationships contributed to Aegean’s success in Chania?
DG: Absolutely. Our success hinges on these partnerships. The local governments, hotel owners, travel agents, and business owners have been instrumental in promoting Chania as a premier tourist destination. This collaborative approach has helped us tailor our services to meet the needs of visitors and to highlight the unique experiences that Chania and Crete offer.
TNE: Aegean has carried over 9 million passengers sence its inception in Chania. What can you tell us about the future of Aegean Airlines in this region, especially looking ahead to 2024 and 2025?
DG: For 2024, we anticipate servicing around 630,000 passengers in both domestic and international routes, which is an increase of about 5% compared to this year. Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to further increase our seating capacity, particularly for international flights, with an ambitious goal of a 20% increase. Despite the challenges in the aviation supply chain post-COVID, we are dedicated to growing our operations in Chania.
TNE: That’s an extraordinary growth forecast! With the aviation industry facing various challenges post-pandemic, how is Aegean handling those obstacles while still prioritizing expansion?
DG: It’s true; the post-COVID landscape is fraught with challenges, from supply chain issues to labor shortages. However, our focus on strategic partnerships and investments in our fleet and services allows us to navigate these hurdles effectively. We remain committed to understanding market demand and adjusting our offerings accordingly to ensure that we can provide excellent service while expanding our reach.
TNE: And what are Aegean’s plans when it comes to enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to and from Chania?
DG: Enhancing passenger experience is always our priority. For Chania,we’re looking into improving our on-ground services and collaborating with local businesses to provide unique packages for travelers.This includes offering more direct routes, enhancing in-flight services, and creating partnerships that allow travelers to explore the region more deeply.
TNE: It sounds like Aegean Airlines is not just about flying but is also fully invested in promoting the regions you serve. Any final thoughts on what sets Chania apart from other destinations?
DG: Absolutely. Chania has this perfect blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and a vibrant culture. Our goal is to make sure that anyone flying with us has the prospect to experience that magic.We want to be more than an airline; we want to be ambassadors of these astonishing destinations, and we’re excited about the journey ahead!
TNE: Thank you, Dimitris, for sharing these insights with us today. Your commitment to Chania and your strategic vision for Aegean Airlines is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing continued growth and innovation from your team.
DG: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for all of us, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss our journey and plans.