Aegean Airlines stands as the flag carrier of Greece and the largest Greek airline by passenger numbers, destinations served, and fleet size. With its reputation for excellent service, Aegean has established itself as a vital link between Greece and the world, serving millions of passengers annually across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
History
Aegean Airlines’ journey began in 1999 when it commenced commercial flights from Athens to Heraklion and Thessaloniki with Avro RJ100 aircraft. However, the company was actually founded in 1987, initially operating VIP flights with Learjet aircraft from Athens.
A significant milestone came in December 1999 when Aegean acquired Air Greece. In 2005, the airline established a partnership with Lufthansa, which paved the way for Aegean to join Star Alliance in June 2010, becoming the network’s 28th member.
Another transformative development occurred on October 21, 2012, when Aegean announced its acquisition of Olympic Air, Greece’s former flag carrier. The European Commission approved this buyout on October 9, 2013, allowing Aegean to consolidate its position as Greece’s dominant airline, though both carriers continue to operate under separate brands.
Recently, Aegean has focused on fleet modernization. In 2018, the airline ordered 30 aircraft from the A320neo family, an order that has since been expanded multiple times, reflecting Aegean’s ambitious growth plans.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1987 (operations began in 1999)
- Headquarters: Kifisia, Athens, Greece
- IATA/ICAO Codes: A3/AEE
- Callsign: Aegean
- Ownership: Publicly traded (Athens Stock Exchange)
- Alliance: Star Alliance (member since 2010)
- Frequent Flyer Program: Miles+Bonus
- Awards: Skytrax Best Regional Airline in Europe (14 times in 15 years)
- Subsidiaries: Olympic Air
- Annual Passengers: 16.3 million (2024)
- Annual Revenue: €1.78 billion (2024)
Fleet
Aegean Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet for its mainline operations, alongside regional aircraft operated by its subsidiary Olympic Air.
Current fleet (2025):
- Airbus A320-200: Short and medium-haul operations
- Airbus A321-200: Used for high-demand routes
- Airbus A320neo: Next-generation replacement for older A320s
- Airbus A321neo: Larger, more efficient variant with extended range
Olympic Air operates smaller regional aircraft:
- ATR 42/72-600: Regional turboprops
- Bombardier Dash 8-100: Small capacity regional aircraft
Aegean continues to invest in fleet modernization. As of March 2025, the airline has ordered a total of 60 aircraft from the A320neo family, with 37 already delivered. Most recently, Aegean announced an order for an additional eight A321neo aircraft, bringing their total A321neo orders to 37.
A key development is the addition of four A321LR (Long Range) aircraft, scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027. These specially configured aircraft will feature additional fuel tanks, enabling flights up to 7.5 hours and allowing Aegean to expand to destinations in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Hubs and Network
Aegean Airlines operates from several key hubs:
Main Hubs:
- Athens International Airport: Primary hub
- Thessaloniki Airport: Secondary hub serving Northern Greece
- Heraklion International Airport: Important base for Crete
- Larnaca International Airport: Key hub in Cyprus
The airline also uses several other Greek airports as seasonal bases during peak tourist season.
As of 2025, Aegean’s network spans approximately 250 routes, connecting 21 domestic and more than 90 international destinations across 46 countries. Domestic routes link Athens and Thessaloniki to popular Greek islands and mainland destinations, while international routes serve major European capitals and cities in the Middle East.
Through Star Alliance membership, Aegean offers connections to over 1,300 destinations worldwide.
Contact Information
Main Headquarters: Aegean Airlines S.A. 31 Viltanioti Street Kifisia, Athens 14564 Greece
Phone Numbers:
- Greece (landline): 801-11-20000
- International/Mobile: +30-210-6261000
- UK: +44-208-7594570
- US: +1-833-673-6110
Email Addresses:
- General Inquiries: contact@aegeanair.com
- Customer Service: customerservice@aegeanair.com
- Data Protection: dpo@aegeanair.com
Social Media: @aegeanairlines on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn
Website: www.aegeanair.com
Future of Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines has ambitious plans for the coming years, focusing on expansion, modernization, and enhanced service offerings.
Fleet Modernization Strategy
Aegean’s commitment to fleet renewal is evident in its March 2025 order for eight additional A321neo aircraft, bringing its total direct orderbook with Airbus to 60 A320neo family aircraft. The airline has already received 37 of these new-generation planes, with deliveries continuing steadily. This investment is crucial for Aegean’s growth objectives and will enhance its competitive position in the European aviation market.
CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis has emphasized the airline’s strategic preference for the larger-capacity A321neo, which will soon represent two-thirds of Aegean’s Airbus fleet. These aircraft deliver over 20% fuel savings and CO? reduction compared to previous generation single-aisle aircraft, positioning Aegean well for a more sustainable future.
A321LR: Gateway to New Markets
Perhaps the most exciting development in Aegean’s fleet strategy is the addition of four A321LR (Long Range) aircraft scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027. These specially configured aircraft will represent a major leap forward for Aegean, featuring:
- Additional fuel tanks providing operational capability for flights up to 7.5 hours
- A newly designed passenger cabin with premium “lie-flat” business class seats
- Capacity to reach destinations beyond Aegean’s traditional European network
The A321LR investment will create a special purpose sub-fleet, enabling Aegean to serve non-EU markets 4 to 7.5 hours from its hubs—destinations that were previously beyond the airline’s reach.
Network Expansion
For 2025, Aegean has announced plans to offer approximately 21.5 million seats, representing a significant increase of 1.8 million seats compared to 2024. This expansion includes:
- 13 million seats allocated to the international network (1.4 million more than in 2024)
- 8.5 million seats for the domestic network (a 6% increase from the previous year)
The introduction of A321LR aircraft will enable Aegean to launch routes to entirely new regions:
Middle East Expansion:
- Enhanced service to existing destinations like Dubai
- New routes to Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman
African Markets:
- New connections to Lagos (Nigeria)
- Service to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
- Flights to Nairobi (Kenya)
Asian Destinations:
- New routes to India (Delhi and Mumbai)
- Service to Kazakhstan
This network expansion will fundamentally transform Aegean from a primarily European carrier into a more global airline with reach across three continents.
Sustainability Initiatives
Environmental responsibility is becoming increasingly central to Aegean’s strategy. The airline’s investment in A320neo family aircraft brings significant environmental benefits through reduced fuel consumption and emissions. These aircraft are already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft 100% SAF capable by 2030.
Aegean is also working on various ground-based initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including more efficient ground operations and reduced use of single-use plastics in its services.
Digital Transformation
Aegean continues to invest in digital technologies to enhance the customer experience. This includes improvements to its website and mobile application, offering more seamless booking, check-in, and travel management capabilities. Future digital investments will focus on:
- Enhanced personalization of services based on customer preferences
- Expanded self-service options throughout the travel journey
- Integration with Star Alliance digital initiatives
- Improved connectivity both on the ground and in the air
Maintenance & Training Investment
To support its growing fleet, Aegean is investing in maintenance capabilities and crew training. This includes new facilities and simulator equipment to ensure the airline can maintain operational excellence as it expands.
Financial Outlook
Despite the challenges of recent years, Aegean reported strong financial results for 2024, with an annual revenue of €1.78 billion, representing a 5% increase from the previous year. This solid financial foundation supports the airline’s ambitious investment plans.
As Greece continues to be a popular tourist destination, Aegean is well-positioned to benefit from growth in tourism while also serving business travelers and the Greek diaspora. The airline’s membership in Star Alliance provides it with a competitive advantage through a vast network of partner airlines and global reach.
With these strategic investments and expansion plans, Aegean Airlines is poised to strengthen its position as Greece’s aviation ambassador, connecting the country to an ever-expanding network of global destinations while representing Greek hospitality and service excellence across three continents.
Keyword: TopAirlines