Island-hopping by private airplane introduced on trial basis at three islands

A trial run of island hopping through private aircraft was introduced to Greece for the first time with flights between Astypalea, Kastellorizo, and Milos on Saturday.

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The initiative was planned as of 2021 by the Ministries of Infrastructure & Transport and Tourism, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the islands' municipalities, in collaboration with the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA Hellas) and the Hellenic Pilots Association.

In a joint statement, the Transport and Tourism Ministries said that the pilot program will expand the connectivity of the three islands with destinations and means that could not be supported up to now by commercial airlines because of infrastructure requirements.

The private island-hopping flights will take place from sunrise to sunset but not during commercial flights, the statement noted.

Deputy Tourism Minister Sophia Zacharaki said that the initiative would attract more people to these islands throughout the year, while Transport Secretary General Yiannis Xifaras noted that the plan is to introduce this kind of tourism at all Greek regional airports.