Greece & Balkans Aviation Weekly

Gary Fradelos

7 minutes ago

4 min read

Week 44 | 26 October–1 November 2026

As the Winter 2026/27 operating season began, aviation developments across Greece and Southeast Europe highlighted the continuing focus on connectivity, airport investment and operational resilience. Athens is pursuing further long-haul growth, while infrastructure projects in Bulgaria and Albania aim to prepare airports for future demand. New route launches and cost pressures also remain part of the changing regional aviation landscape.

Athens Targets Long-Haul Growth and More Year-Round Services

Athens International Airport is seeking to strengthen its long-haul network and expand services across the year, with further opportunities under consideration in Asia and the Americas. The airport added four airline partners and 10 scheduled destinations in 2026, alongside charter services to Seoul and additional frequencies on existing routes.

The United States remains a key market, with 103 weekly departures compared with 46 in 2019. American Airlines’ Dallas/Fort Worth service expanded the network in 2026, Delta is due to add Detroit in summer 2027, and Alaska Airlines plans to launch Seattle service. India has also become a new nonstop market for Greece following IndiGo’s Delhi and Mumbai flights, with Aegean expected to add its own India services in 2027.

Night view of the control tower and main building at Athens International Airport, featuring bright floodlights and motion-blurred lights from an airplane moving on the tarmac against a backdrop of dark hills and clear blue evening sky.

Sofia Airport Advances Preparations for Terminal 3

Sofia Airport has started preparatory infrastructure works ahead of the planned construction of Terminal 3. The initial phase includes underground utility networks serving the existing terminal, the air traffic control tower and the new terminal, as well as changes to the area in front of Terminal 2.

The airport also plans to improve passenger access during construction, including a new bus transport centre with 14 bays, an accessible ramp and a relocated taxi rank. Terminal 3 is planned to cover 65,000 square metres, with opening targeted for 2031, as Bulgaria’s principal airport prepares for future capacity needs.

Front view of a commercial airplane approaching for landing at dusk with landing lights illuminated.

Tirana Airport Plans Runway and Infrastructure Works

Tirana International Airport has announced runway and supporting infrastructure works for November as part of its preparations for the 2027 season. The programme is

scheduled from 9 to 26 November, with selected night-time airport closures that may lead to flight schedule changes.

The planned work includes rehabilitation of part of the runway pavement, a new LED airfield lighting system, taxiway improvements and other terminal interventions. The airport says the investment is intended to support continued traffic growth and strengthen its infrastructure ahead of future demand.

Underside view of a commercial jet flying against a clear blue sky with light clouds.

SKY express Launches Athens–Barcelona Service

SKY express has launched a direct Athens–Barcelona route, expanding its international network and adding a second Spanish destination after Madrid. The service began on 22 October and is scheduled to operate five times per week with Airbus A320neo aircraft.

The new link gives passengers a direct connection between the two cities and adds another European market to the airline’s Athens network. It also provides Spanish travellers with onward connections through Athens to destinations across Greece.

Additional Industry Developments

Routes & Networks Latest
The latest Routes & Networks Latest tracked airline network changes and schedule developments across several markets. Regionally relevant updates included Marabu Airlines’ plan to add weekly Nuremberg–Preveza service in summer 2027 and easyJet’s launch of Ljubljana–London Luton, alongside a planned resumption of Ljubljana–Berlin service next spring.

Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates | W/C Oct. 26, 2026

EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview — Week 43
EUROCONTROL’s European Aviation Overview, published on 29 October, covered traffic and operational performance from 19–25 October. The European network averaged 32,480 flights per day, while Greece recorded the largest week-on-week decrease among the 10 busiest states, at 7%; the report also noted that European jet fuel prices reached their highest monthly level since the onset of the Middle East crisis.

EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview 2026 - Week 43

UK Court Recognises Volotea’s Spanish Restructuring Proceedings
A UK High Court judgment published during the reporting week recognised Volotea’s Spanish pre-insolvency restructuring proceedings and granted a moratorium on certain creditor actions in England and Wales. The process is intended to support restructuring negotiations and does not mean that the airline has entered formal bankruptcy; Volotea continues to trade while it seeks an agreement with creditors.
easyJet Plans Starlink Wi-Fi Across Its Fleet
easyJet has announced plans to introduce Starlink inflight connectivity across its Airbus fleet, with installation expected to begin in the first half of 2027 and finish by early 2028. The airline says the service will allow passengers to browse, stream and game onboard, as carriers increasingly consider connectivity part of the passenger offer.

Outlook

Week 44 brought together network expansion and airport investment across Greece and Southeast Europe, while EUROCONTROL’s latest data pointed to continuing cost and operational pressures as the Winter 2026/27 schedule began.

As the aviation industry continues operating under the Winter 2026/27 schedule across Greece and Southeast Europe, Greece & Balkans Aviation Weekly will continue bringing you independent, reliable and timely coverage of the stories driving regional aviation—from airport operations and airline strategy to tourism, infrastructure and regulation, where regional connectivity, tourism and aviation strategy continue shaping the skies of Southeast Europe.

We look forward to welcoming you back next week for another edition of Greece & Balkans Aviation Weekly. References