VOLOTEA TRANSPORTS OVER 1.3 MILLION PASSENGERS IN GREECE IN 2023, PLANS 14% CAPACITY INCREASE FOR 2024
In 2023, the airline operated more than 8,500 flights, maintaining an average seat load factor of 93%, and continued its partnership with Aegean Airlines expanding its codeshare flights to 95 routes.
For 2024, Volotea plans to put on sale its largest-ever seat offering, with 1.6 million seats available.
Barcelona, January 30th, 2024 – Volotea, the fastest-growing independent European airline over the last decade, achieved record-breaking results in Greece in 2023, with its Athens base playing a pivotal role in the company's growth within the country.
In 2023, Volotea reached a record number of 1.3 million passengers carried in Greece, a 10% increase versus the previous year. The airline offered 65 routes and operated more than 8,500 flights with a strong seat load factor of 93% and an exceptional flight completion rate, indicating that 99% of the company’s scheduled flights were successfully completed. As of the end of 2023, the airline maintained a fleet of two aircraft based in the country and employed a staff of over 70 professionals.
Athens, as the airline's main operational base in Greece, played a pivotal role in the success of Volotea's 2023 operations, boasting an impressive average seat load factor of 95% and an OTP15 rating, representing on-time performance, exceeding 70%. Approximately half of the airline's flights originating from the country were conducted from the Greek capital, while a significant 65% of the 680,000-seat capacity in Athens was dedicated to vital routes linking the city to various islands. In 2023, the airline carried nearly 645,000 passengers from Athens Airport, reflecting a significant 28% increase compared to 2022. It also achieved a customer satisfaction rate nearing 90% among clients enrolled in its Megavolotea program.
In 2024, Volotea has ambitious plans for Greece. The airline plans to launch a record seat offering in the country, with 1.6 million seats, representing a 14% increase compared to 2023. This expansion will be supported by operating nearly 9,500 flights across 70 routes and increasing employment by almost 14%. In Athens, the airline plans to strengthen its presence further by offering over 20 routes and putting a record 835,000 seats available, a 23% increase compared to 2023.
The carrier provides a diverse range of connections from Athens Airport, spanning both domestic and international destinations, including Spain (Bilbao), Italy (Ancona, Bari - new base in 2024, Cagliari, Naples, Palermo, Venice, and Verona), France (Bordeaux, Brest - new base in 2024, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Strasbourg, and Toulouse), Croatia (Dubrovnik and Split), and within Greece (Heraklion/Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini).
Carlos Muñoz, Founder and CEO of Volotea, says, “2023 has been a great year for Volotea in Greece. We proudly carried a record-breaking 1.3 million passengers, expanded our route network, and achieved an impressive 99% flight completion rate. Our Athens base played a pivotal role, with a significant 28% growth in passenger numbers and quality operational performance, all while maintaining high customer satisfaction levels. As we set our sights on 2024, we are committed to breaking even more records in Greece, with a 14% increase in capacity, the introduction of new routes, and the creation of additional local job opportunities. We are committed to make travel accessible and convenient for Greek travelers, ensuring they enjoy enhanced connections throughout Europe and can explore the continent effortlessly through our competitive prices.”
Volotea's presence in Greece has evolved significantly since 2012, marked by the establishment of its Athens base in 2018 and the airline's successful partnership with Aegean Airlines in 2021. The collaboration between the two airlines expanded significantly in 2023, with the number of codeshare flights expanding to 95 routes.