Whoever who has ever dreamt of touring the old world, knows of the parthenon and the acropolis of the ancient city of Athena, or Athens today. Athens today may be known as a powerful economic centre of europe and the fastest growing business hub, with 17 out of 29 destinations of aegean airline being inside Greece itself.
The main air port of Athens, Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, located near Spata, is the main base of one of the 2 greek airlines, the aegean airways, and has been the recipient of the best airport award for the year 2004. Athens itself is the 6th most visited capital of the world, and more than half of the tourist populace is brought to Athens by the aegean airlines.
The aegean airline is basically a very young organization and at the moment carries flights within Greece itself and a small number of flights to and from european destinations, most of which themselves are also archaeological hubs, like the Leonardo da vinci airport of rome ,the malpensa air port of Milan and the Cairo airport, Egypt.
Interestingly, the aegean airways have a hub at Macedonia in Greece as well. Since Olympic airlines was already there as the national flag bearer of Greece, there was never a need for another flag bearer. However, in the late 1980s, there was a profound need for air ambulances as well as some flights that could be chartered for the executives for business purposes, a feat that Olympic airlines certainly was not willing to offer at that time. Aegean aviation stepped forward, took the opportunity to launch the aegean airlines. These airlines were first of its kind, offering chartered flights and offered the highest quality of services possible aboard.
Unfortunately, it was not allowed an independent license for flying for another 5 years, due to the ancient business monopoly prevalent in Athens then. The Golden Dawn came in the form of Vasilakis group, that bought 60 % shares of the airlines and made its intentions clear, regarding the progress and prosperity of the organization as well as the future plans for expansion. That was when the entire fleet of the aegean airline was made up of Lear jets. Although right now the fleet is made up of an assortment of air crafts, ranging from Air Buses to Boeings, but there is a future pending order of a fleet of 25 , that is ordained to replace the older air craft. Then, i.e. in 2009, aegean airways is going to be the youngest airline fleet in the europe. The new order consists of Airbus A320 and Airbus A321.
Another merit for the airline is that it is the only airline to have received the bronze, silver and gold, all three awards of recognition.
Today aegean airlines have over 29 destinations, and is a constituent of 2 frequent flyers club. Miles and more; as well as Miles and Bonus, both offers are extended to the frequently flying passengers of the aegean airline. How ever, they can only avail any one of the 2 offers and cannot be a card holder at both the clubs. Sometimes, passengers who are already the members of a program are offered memberships of the same program again. This is a part of the code share agreements.
There is a lounge for the aegean airways as well which is called Aegean Club Lounge. The location is the Thessaloniki airport of Macedonia. The Vasilakis are the chairmen of the board of Governors and have been responsible for taking the aegean airlines to its present heights. Only a leader with perspicacious outlook and insight can take an organization to the apogee of glory.
