AEGEAN and Fraport Greece in Chania to promote tourism

At the event held yesterday (27.11.2024) by the and Chania presence of the CEO of AEGEAN Dimitris Gerogiannis, as well as the Director-General for Development of Fraport Greece, George Vilos, in the context of their long presence in the prefecture and their effective cooperation to promote tourism, the development of AEGEAN in Chania during its 25 years of operation and the network of the company as well as the design for 2025 was discussed. There was also talk of the launch of a new direct route to Rhodes, AEGEAN’s cooperation with Fraport Greece and the importance of partnerships to promote the continued dynamics of the prefecture of Chania. The CEO of AEGEAN Dimitris Gerogiannis is following briefly: Chania and the company’s base at Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport is one of the important destinations of the AEGEAN network that this year complements 25 years of dynamic course and hard work and cooperation with local operators, Region, EOT, Municipal Authorities, Hotels, Travel Agents, Business Agencies, Universities, etc.A collaboration that has the common objective, the promotion of the rich tourist product, and the experience offered by Chania and the wider region. Overall, the prefecture of Chania is one of the few destinations in Greece that can support a quality tourist product and rich experience throughout the year, and already has many of the necessary infrastructure, with a more important, modern, upgraded airport worthy of the attractiveness of the place, which, under the management of Fraport Greece, can also respond well both to the continuous increase in passenger traffic, as well as to the needs of passengers and airlines. Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO AEGEAN AEGEAN has been operating for 25 years in Chania, having carried up to date more than 9 million passengers and the airport of Chania is one of the company’s 10 operational bases. The excellent collaboration AEGEAN has had all these years with Fraport Greece is the key to the common course of the two companies and the common vision, to further contribute to strengthening the dynamics of Chania 12 months a year. Investment in hotel beds is projected to increase by more than 10% over the next 2 years, while passenger traffic is showing an increasing trend. AEGEAN, for its part, increases the activity and the positions offered at its base, in Chania, almost every year. This is also the driving force for the entire company to continue to invest in the area both in routes and destinations. Issues related to the sustainable management of destinations, the preservation of experience, character and uniqueness of the city, but also to unique landscapes of natural beauty, as well as infrastructure, which by increasing tourism, particularly in specific months, are borne by both AEGEAN and local operators. By completing 25 years of presence, the company considers it a debt to continuously upgrade travel experience and passenger service, as well as to cooperate effectively with local operators for the development of the site. From Chania airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis AEGEAN started to attempt in 1999, the year of the establishment of the company, having so far carried almost 9 million passengers. Since then, Chania airport has been one of the company’s 10 bases throughout Greece, while more than 600,000 passengers are moved annually to and from the prefecture. Today AEGEAN continues to invest in the dynamics of the county, strengthening both its programme and the positions offered. Traditionally the company invests mainly in the domestic network, whose passenger traffic is also powered by a large number of connecting passengers of the network as a whole. But also the activity of charter flights, to and from Scandinavia. For years 1 aircraft has been “based” on Chania to serve flights. In recent years some 600,000 – 650,000 passengers have been transported. In 2024 it would be closed, having carried about 630 thousand passengers with the 550,000 passengers involved in the interior network, which, however, includes most of the 50% connecting passengers, while in the external network 80,000. Passenger traffic on the inland network recorded an increase of 5% compared to 2023, mainly due to the continuous investment in the route Athens – Chania – Athens (Adding 1 more daily flight). As regards the design for the new year (2025) and despite the problems in the supply chain of the entire aviation industry and the lack of aircraft in the post-covid era, AEGEAN continues to invest in Chania, planning an increase of about 5% in the interior, and an increase of about 20% in international routes from Chania airport. Specifically, on the internal network AEGEAN will offer almost 676,000 seats, while on the external network almost 108,000. With regard to the domestic network and route Athens – Chania – Athens, 4 daily flights are maintained in the winter, which during the summer season peak will increase to 6. Throughout the year the Chania – Thessaloniki – Chania route is maintained (3 weekly flights). A new Rhodes – Chania – Rhodes route is expected to start Easter, and more specifically on April 14, and will be run by October with an ATR 42-600 aircraft. Initially, 2 weekly flights will be performed every Monday and Friday, while in the summer season’s peak, flights will increase to 4 weekly and will take place both Thursday and Sunday. An extensive reference was made to the importance of cooperation and partnerships. Two companies, AEGEAN and Fraport Greece, cooperate closely, contributing to the tourism progress and the well-being of the place. Synergies are the most effective way to achieve common goals, so the goal of the company is to cooperate in every way with all actors sharing a common vision. AEGEAN’s strategic decision to participate in the Tourism Partnership for Chania was taken, which since its establishment until today has designed and implemented a multitude of actions aimed at further promoting the city of Chania and the wider area throughout the year, but also at highlighting different experiences and alternative forms of tourism. In collaboration with the outstanding partners from Marketing Greece, EOT, the Association of Hotels of Chania, Eurobank and Fraport Greece combining the expertise of private operators with the knowledge and passion of local actors, the treasures of the place are highlighted, but also the special experiences he offers to visitors, not only in the summer season, but also in winter. On his part, Mr.George Vilos, Director General for Development Fraport Greece, mentioned extensively the good cooperation between Fraport Greece and AEGEAN, as well as the passenger traffic recorded at Chania Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis. For Fraport Greece, AEGEAN is a strategic partner and companion from the first moment and throughout all these 8 years. The two companies moved on and still move along, winning a new record and changing the scene in Greek air transport. The common goal is to attract additional passenger traffic, to open new routes – so improving the interconnection of 14 destinations – and, of course, the upgraded travel experience in all areas covered by Fraport Greece’s services. With AEGEAN, Fraport Greece, from the first moment, i.e. since 2018, has been a supporter of the pioneering idea of Strategic Tourism Partnerships to promote destinations” and even the first partnership formed was that of Chania in collaboration with Marketing Greece, the Hotel Association, Eurobank, which was further strengthened by participation in that of the Greek Tourism Organization. Also, the Partnership is under the Aegis of the Region of Crete, which reflects its dynamics, but also the support of local bodies. From left Dimitra Niniou, Senior Corporate Communication Manager Marketing Greece / Eleni Mitrakis, Director of Tourism Promotion EOT / Katerina Polytou, Airline Marketing & Development Manager Fraport Greece / Marina Valvi, Marketing Director AEGEAN / Marina Spyridaki, Corporate Affairs Manager AEGEAN In particular, the close and constructive cooperation that existed over the years with the Association of Hotels Chania, brought fruit in the area of attracting/enhancing the presence in Chania of important markets abroad, as well as the lengthening of the tourist season. On the fringe of the event, the Hotel Association of Chania offered an honorary plaque to both AEGEAN and Fraport Greece, thanking them for their cooperation and valuable contribution to promoting the dynamics of the tourist product of the city of Chania and the wider area. From left Dimitris Gerogiannis, AEGEAN CEO / Manolis Stamatakis, President of the Association of Hotels Chania / Kyriakos Papadakis, Vice President of the Association of Hotels Chania Fraport Greece will continue to be dynamically present in Chania and along with AEGEAN will support in every way the further development of the destination and its further consolidation as a 12-month destination. The total traffic of Chania airport until October 2024 was at +8.4% compared to 2023. Domestic traffic until October 2024 was at +8.8% External traffic until October 2024 was at +8.3% Passenger traffic in 2016 was 2,966,697 passengers, and this year a new traffic record with an increase of over 30% is expected. Specifically, for the first time Chania Airport will reach 4 million passengers. In October – November 2024 the increase in traffic will be close to 40% compared to 2019, reflecting the expansion of the tourist season.