Greek carrier Aegean Airlines has announced plans to add six new aircraft to its fleet this year, including five Airbus narrowbodies, as part of its ongoing expansion strategy. The move comes as the airline reports significantly reduced seasonal losses and growing international passenger traffic.
Fleet Modernization Underway
The airline will take delivery of three A321neos, two A320neos, and one ATR 72-600 turboprop in 2025. This expansion supports Aegean’s network growth, with CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis emphasizing the importance of enhancing connectivity to strategic destinations. The new aircraft will join one of Europe’s youngest fleets, currently averaging just 6.5 years.
Financial Performance Improves
Aegean’s Q1 2025 results show marked improvement, with net losses shrinking to €6.6 million ($7.4 million) from €21 million in the same period last year. Operating losses decreased by nearly two-thirds, aided by favorable currency exchange rates on aircraft lease liabilities. The results validate the airline’s strategy of controlled growth despite challenging winter operations.
Strategic Winter Expansion Pays Off
Gerogiannis highlighted the success of Aegean’s winter network development, now in its second year. “We strengthened passenger traffic, especially on international routes, by adding more frequencies to selected destinations,” he said. While acknowledging the high costs of winter operations, the CEO stressed their importance for both the airline and Greece’s tourism-dependent economy.
Network Development Continues
The additional aircraft will enable Aegean to launch new routes while increasing frequencies on existing ones. The airline has been gradually shifting its focus from purely seasonal Mediterranean leisure traffic to year-round operations, including more business-oriented routes.
Competitive Positioning
As Greece’s flag carrier, Aegean continues to defend its domestic market share while expanding its international presence. The fleet expansion comes as Greek tourism shows strong recovery, with passenger numbers approaching pre-pandemic levels at major airports like Athens and Thessaloniki.
With its modernized fleet and improving financial performance, Aegean is well-positioned to capitalize on Greece’s booming tourism sector while maintaining its reputation for operational reliability. The airline’s strategic investments in winter operations demonstrate its commitment to becoming a year-round competitor in the European aviation market.
