NEW AIRCRAFT - Sky Express new A321neo-operator

On 1 April 2023, Sky Express from Greece became the newest A321neo-operator by conducting its first commercial flight with the type. The aircraft, SX-GRA (8014) flew its first passengers to Santorini from Athens and was handed-over just two days earlier on 30 March 2023. Previously, this Airbus saw service with Interjet from Mexico.

The A321neo is the first of two of the type the airline is leasing, which will join a fleet of four ATR42-500s, eight ATR72-600s, one A320 and eight A320neos.

Photo by Sky Express.

SKY express to Begin Fleet Modernisation with ATR 72-600

Greek airline to optimise connectivity to islands with sustainable regional turboprop

Toulouse, July 1, 2021 – Market-leading turboprop manufacturer ATR and Greek airline SKY express today announce the delivery of an ATR 72-600 aircraft. This deal represents a new country of operations for the ATR 72-600 which is currently flying in over 50 countries around the world. With a fleet of 10 ATR -500 series aircraft, the airline has opted to continue its long relationship with ATR for its fleet modernisation project. When the ATR 72-600 enters into service later this month, it will be the first step in ensuring continued and sustainable operations to Greece’s many islands.

In the context of the aviation industry’s collective goal of decarbonisation and with many communities reliant on air links to supply essential connectivity, ATR aircraft represent the ideal solution to creating a more sustainable industry. The ATR 72-600 burns up to 40% less fuel and emits up to 40% less CO2 than a similarly-sized regional jet. In 2019, this advantage allowed it to become the first aircraft eligible for Green Financing loans.

SKY express President of the Board of Directors, Theodoros Krokidas remarked: “We are delighted to be introducing the ATR 72-600 into our fleet. In today’s context, it is more important than ever before to be able to offer our passengers efficient and flexible solutions with the best possible standards of comfort and safety. At SKY express we are committed to contributing to reduce CO2 emissions, and the ATR 72-600 fits perfectly in this strategy. ATR aircraft are well suited to serving islands with their ability to take-off and land from runways other aircraft simply cannot access and this is essential for regional operations in a country such as Greece. We know that when our passengers see this aircraft with its beautiful new livery, they will be looking forward to enjoying the very latest standards of on-board comfort.”

ATR Chief Executive, Stefano Bortoli, said: “There is no better solution with which to provide essential links and connectivity than an ATR 72-600, which is the sustainable benchmark in regional aviation today. Studies have shown than an increase of 10% in regional flights can lead to a 5% increase in local GDP, proving the value of regional air transportation and the fundamental role of regional connectivity. With many more aircraft needing to be replaced, we hope that airlines all over the world will follow the example set by SKY express and put their faith in turboprop aircraft, which are the economical solution to reducing emissions in aviation.”

SKY express orders 6 ATR72s

Greek carrier SKY express has ordered six ATR72-600s which will be used by the airline to replace its current fleet of five ATR72-500s. A first, SX-ELV (1643) has already been delivered on 30 June. This particular airframe was originally intended to go to Tunisair Express but was not taken-up.

SKY express also operates five ATR42-500s and six A320neos and is using the latter to expand to European destinations like Amsterdam and Brussels.

Photo by ATR.

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg - 02/2021

D-AIFL BD 700-1A10 Global 6000 ACM Air Charter

SX-TEC A 320-251(N) SKY Express cn.9566 'Grecce is bliss' 

Paul Bannwarth

SKY Express takes first A320neo; outlines ops

SKY Express (Greece) (GQ, Heraklion) took delivery of its first A320-200N on November 6, 2020, and plans to commence operations with it on December 14, 2020, ch-aviation schedule analysis shows.

SX-IOG (msn 10083) has yet to be ferried from Hamburg Finkenwerder to Greece. The aircraft is dry-leased from Aviation Capital Group. SKY Express plans to take the second unit of the type, SX-TEC (msn 9566), also on lease from ACG, in December 2020, followed by another two in February 2021. In October, the airline said it planned to add a total of six A320neo, including aircraft directly from the manufacturer.

The ch-aviation schedules module shows that the Greek carrier will launch scheduled flights of the A320neo on December 14 on the domestic trunk route between Athens Int'l and Thessaloniki, initially 5x daily. It plans to add daily services from Athens to Heraklion on December 18.

The Airbus aircraft will be SKY Express's first narrowbodies. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the carrier also operates seven ATR42-500s and five ATR72-500s.
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Sky Express orders 6 A320neo

Sky Express (Greece) (GQ, Heraklion) announced plans to significantly expand its business scope and move from regional turboprop to narrowbody operations through an order for six A320-200Ns, including four directly from Airbus and two from Aviation Capital Group.

"Our cooperation with Airbus, through the acquisition of six brand new Α320neo aircraft, meets our ambition to modernize our fleet and have our company transition to a new era," owner Ioannis Grylos said.

According to the ch-aviation schedules module, the airline will debut A320neo operations in two months, on December 14, deploying the type initially from Athens Int'l to Thessaloniki up to 6x daily. On December 18, the airline will start using the aircraft daily on the Athens-Heraklion route.

The Greek regional specialist currently operates seven ATR42-500s and five ATR72-500s. It recently started recruiting pilots type-rated for A320 Family aircraft, prompting speculation about its planned expansion. Sky Express operates predominantly from Athens to Greek islands, although it also has several intra-Aegean routes bypassing the mainland.

ch aviation

Sky Express Airlines is proud to announce the addition of the brand new ATR 72-500 aircraft to its fleet. The "SX-ONE", as it has been registered, is already servicing our customers on the most popular routes.

Sky Express JS41 at Rhodes on Feb. 2nd, 2015, Gear Collapse and Runway Excursion on Landing

By Simon Hradecky, The Aviation Herald | Feb. 02, 2015
A Sky Express Jetstream 41, registration SX-DIA performing flight GQ-100 from Heraklion to Rhodes (Greece) with 16 passengers, landed hard on Rhodes' runway 07 at 7:36 a.m. L (5:36 a.m. Z) causing the left hand main gear to collapse and the aircraft to veer left towards the edge of the runway partly exiting the runway egde but coming to a stop on the paved surface of the runway. No injuries occurred, the aircraft received substantial damage to left main gear, left wing, left hand propeller and left hand engine however

Greece's Sky Express acquires leased Lithuanian ATR42

Sky Express has assumed the operation of an ATR42-300, SX-GRY (cn 12A), previously wet-leased from Lithuania's DOT - Danu oro transportas.
Established in 2005, the Greek carrier offers an extensive local network of twenty destinations served using the ATR42 and three Jetstream 41s.