An argument often heard from both sides of the Aegean is that if the Greeks and Turks joined forces, they could achieve miracles. With Greek-Turkish relations steadily improving and the tourism industries of both countries “threatened” by new, up-and-coming Balkan destinations, the first “alliance” is a fact.
“Kazan- kazan”, the Turks call it for agreements that are mutually beneficial. So it is with this one: It is a partnership between a Greek company, Superior Air, and a Turkish one, Mavi Air. The companies, both members of the Greek Airtaxi Network, have two identical helicopters (one Greek and one Turkish) that enable flights between the two countries with a stopover in Samos.
With the cooperation of the two companies, according to a newmoney.gr report, two different worlds, two different cultures are combined. It avoids the time-consuming and costly procedures of Mykonos airport, as the hospitable Samos becomes a stopover – where all procedures for visitors are carried out and from there, the visitors (whether they are on tourism or on a business trip) are “shared” to other island and not only destinations.
So, when, for example, the Turkish helicopter brings visitors from Bodrum and other Turkish destinations, it “delivers” them to Samos and from there the Greek helicopter picks them up to take them to other parts of Greece. Thus, the two members of the Greek Greek Airtaxi Network for the first time connect with helicopters the hottest destinations of the two countries.
With the agreement already in place (routes are offered on both sides) and aimed mainly at high budget tourists, those interested can “fly” from Mykonos to Bodrum to see the sights and return.But mostly, the other way round.
Given that Mykonos airport is saturated in terms of available slots for lear jets, one can fly from Bodrum to Mykonos to spend a few hours, or the day. In addition, a tourist coming from Turkey can “fly” by helicopter not only to “surrounding” islands, such as Santorini, but also to Crete, to experience other Greek destinations.
And why does this matter? Airline market players say that it is critical, in a period of hyperinflation and increased competition for the hottest destinations, that the two countries have the opportunity to “lend” – even for a few hours, or days – tourists to each other. This is because it not only stimulates traffic, for example, on the Greek islands and increases revenue from tourist arrivals (the fact that these are people who travel by private aircraft and have the financial means to seek helicopter travel demonstrates that they are big spenders).
But also because it introduces them to destinations that they may not have had on their “itinerary”. It makes both countries even more attractive as destinations, as it circumvents the problems of saturation of available seats at airports. In this way, for example, someone who has parked his private aircraft in Bodrum can take a helicopter of the Greek Airtaxi Network (the Turkish company has joined the network) to Mykonos or Santorini and stay there for as long as he wishes.
The cooperation between the two operators is considered so important that, according to Newmoney.gr, the Turkish government is taking all the necessary steps to “open” a VFR point between Kos and Bodrum, so that Greek helicopters can pass through the Turkish FIR and shorten the connections with the Greek islands and between them.
The two sides are already advertising the connection between the two countries and the available routes, which are operated by two brand new (built in 2023) Airbus ACH 130 ultra-luxury helicopters that the Greek Airtaxi Network has added to its network.
