Lyon, France – Greek airline SKY express officially celebrated the launch of its new direct flight route between Lyon and Athens, marking a significant expansion of its services in France. The airline hosted an exclusive event on Tuesday, February 24, in Lyon, gathering over 130 tourism professionals and partners to commemorate this new connection.
SKY express Celebrates New Lyon-Athens Link with Exclusive Event
The celebratory evening, held in partnership with the Greek National Tourism Organization, Lyon Airport, and the Greek hotel chain Domes, underscored a strategic step in SKY express’s development in the French market. This event brought together key stakeholders to highlight the enhanced connectivity and tourism opportunities.
A New Gateway Between Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Greece
Since December 15, 2025, SKY express has been operating two weekly flights, every Monday and Friday, between Lyon and Athens. This year-round service addresses a growing demand for both leisure and business travel between the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and Greece. Lyon now stands as SKY express’s second gateway to Athens in France, complementing the daily service from Paris CDG, which commenced in 2021.
Beyond direct travel, this route provides access to SKY express’s extensive domestic network, the largest in the Greek market, encompassing 33 internal destinations. Travelers can now enjoy seamless connections via Athens to popular islands such as the Cyclades (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Milos), Crete (Heraklion, Chania), the Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos), Northern Greece (Thessaloniki, Corfu, Chios), and Cyprus (Larnaca).
SKY express: A Growing Force in International Aviation
Established in 2005, SKY express has emerged as a major player in Greek air transport. The airline boasts the youngest fleet in Greece, featuring modern Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. These planes significantly reduce the carbon footprint per passenger while offering a high level of comfort.
Operating under a ‘best value’ strategy, SKY express combines competitive pricing with quality service. This includes free check-in (online and at the airport), flexible fare products tailored for leisure and business travelers, and a ‘BLISS’ business class available on flights to and from Athens.
The airline currently serves over 40 destinations across Greece and Europe, continuously pursuing its international expansion. Its clear ambition is to strengthen connectivity between Greece and major European markets.
“The opening of Lyon-Athens marks a key stage in SKY express’s development in France and strengthens our regional presence following the success of Paris CDG. This route opens direct and efficient access to all of Greece through our Athens hub and our domestic network,” stated Jean Brajon, General Manager France, SKY express.
A Lyon Evening Focused on Partnership and B2B Development
The February 24 event successfully brought together tour operators, travel agencies, businesses, institutions, and specialized media. The collective goal was to enhance the visibility of Greece as a destination and solidify commercial opportunities presented by this new route.
Alongside SKY express, the Greek National Tourism Organization highlighted Greece’s increasing attractiveness as a year-round destination. Lyon Airport emphasized the strategic importance of this new route in expanding its international offerings. Domes, the premium hotel chain partner for the evening, showcased its high-end offerings, perfectly aligning with the airline’s quality positioning.
Through this initiative, SKY express reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening industry relationships and providing sustainable B2B distribution. This is supported by its dedicated agency portal, strong GDS presence, and personalized commercial support from a responsive and attentive team.
Immediate Opportunities for the Travel Trade
With this new year-round service, SKY express offers tourism professionals a competitive and high-quality option for travel to Athens and the Greek islands. This comes at a time when regional connectivity is becoming a strategic lever for growth in the travel industry.
Source: Infotravel.fr
