Greece’s SKY Express adds first ATR72-600

SKY Express (Greece) (GQ, Heraklion) took delivery of its first ATR72-600 on July 1, 2021, when SX-ELV (msn 1643) was ferried to Athens Int’l from Toulouse Blagnac. However, it has yet to be inducted into revenue service. In a press release announcing the event, SKY Express said only that the Avions de Transport Régional turboprop would be used on its domestic network without any further details. It also said that it is planning a “further development of its ecological fleet”. The airline did not respond to ch-aviation’s request for clarification.

The leisure specialist currently operates five ATR42-500s and five ATR72-500s, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. While historically focused on turboprop services between the Greek islands, in 2020, it decided to expand into the narrowbody segment and ordered six A320-200Ns the first of which was delivered in November 2020. Equipped with the Airbus aircraft, SKY Express ventured into the international market and launched flights to Larnaca, Cyprus. It has since increased its A320neo plans through the addition of units from lessors’ order books. It currently operates six of the type, including four ordered directly from the manufacturer and two via Aviation Capital Group with three more – one direct order and two via ACG – due for delivery.

While 83.7% of SKY Express’ scheduled weekly capacity remains on the domestic market, the carrier is gradually growing its international network which now comprises nine destinations served out of Athens, Heraklion, and Skiathos, the ch-aviation schedules module indicates.