Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Greece and Cyprus have entered a strategic tourism partnership as Greece’s Skyros Island joins forces with Cyprus-headquartered Zela Aviation to enhance foreign air links, introduce private jet and charter services, and welcome foreign visitors. This cross-border project will reposition Skyros as a luxury year-round destination in the Aegean Sea, leveraging aviation infrastructure development and access to luxury travel along with international tourism promotion.
Skyros Island Advances Air Connectivity with New Strategic Partnership Between Municipality and Zela Aviation
Skyros Island is set to benefit from enhanced air accessibility and international tourism promotion through a newly signed cooperation agreement between the Municipality of Skyros and Zela Aviation, an aviation services company active across Greece and Europe.
The strategic partnership aims to improve the island’s aviation infrastructure, increase flight connectivity, and expand the island’s profile in foreign tourism markets. This initiative forms part of a broader effort to position Skyros as a viable destination within the regional and international travel ecosystem.
This latest collaboration marks the third such agreement by Zela Aviation in Greece focusing on regional airport and tourism development. The company had earlier established comparable partnerships with the Municipality of Sitia in 2022 and later with the Municipality of Syros in 2024.
Skyros stands as the biggest island within the Sporades group, situated in the heart of the Aegean Sea. Despite its size and geographic importance, it remains one of the lesser-developed destinations in terms of international tourism. The island features varied terrain, including forested mountains, sandy coastlines, and historical settlements. It is also home to the Skyrian horse breed, traditional architecture, and cultural landmarks.
As part of the agreement, Zela Jet—the private air charter division of Zela Aviation Group—will provide private aviation services to and from Skyros throughout the 2025–2026 tourism seasons. These services will include private jet and helicopter charters designed to accommodate individual travelers and groups seeking customized transport options.
Zela Jet, established in 2020, offers tailored charter flight services throughout Greece and various destinations across Europe, focusing on customized air travel experiences. The brand offers services tailored to business travelers, leisure tourists, and high-net-worth individuals requiring flexible and efficient travel solutions.
Skyros Airport, featuring a 3,002-meter runway, presently operates regular flight services linking the island directly with Athens. The airport’s infrastructure supports larger aircraft operations and charter flights, creating a platform for further expansion into seasonal and international routes. Its proximity to Linaria Port adds logistical value for multimodal connections, especially during peak tourist seasons.
The operational focus of the partnership is to increase the island’s visibility among international travel agents, airlines, and charter operators. Zela Aviation plans to collaborate closely with Mayor Kyriakos Antonopoulos and the Municipality of Skyros to develop a long-term strategy for bringing in new seasonal flight routes and improving the frequency of air services during both peak and off-peak periods.
Additionally, the company will evaluate opportunities to cooperate with low-cost carriers to establish affordable, year-round air routes that support both tourism and resident mobility. This part of the plan includes identifying market demand, coordinating with airline partners, and evaluating route viability based on seasonal travel trends and capacity.
The Municipality of Skyros will actively support the aviation development efforts by collaborating with Zela Aviation on tourism promotion, infrastructure evaluation, and coordinated engagement with key stakeholders. The overarching goal of the partnership is to support local development while aligning with national aviation and tourism strategies.
This initiative reflects a model of public-private cooperation aimed at improving transportation access to Greek islands, many of which remain underserved by regular air connections despite having airport infrastructure. Skyros, in particular, holds potential for both domestic and international tourism growth, given its combination of natural assets, cultural heritage, and existing airport capabilities.
The agreement also includes provisions for coordinated promotion campaigns, participation in tourism exhibitions, and outreach to travel agencies in key source markets. The parties aim to position Skyros as an alternative Greek island destination by emphasizing accessibility, cultural preservation, and sustainable growth.
Furthermore, Zela Aviation is expected to explore synergies between its previous projects in Sitia and Syros and the new agreement in Skyros, potentially creating a network of destinations connected through private aviation services. This would allow for easier travel between lesser-known islands and diversify travel itineraries for high-value tourists seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Skyros’s location in the Aegean, along with its existing infrastructure, creates a strong foundation for tourism expansion without the need for large-scale development. The focus will remain on efficient use of resources, better air service planning, and attracting visitors whose travel preferences align with what the island currently offers.
With the signing of this cooperation agreement, both the Municipality of Skyros and Zela Aviation have outlined clear operational roles, infrastructure goals, and marketing strategies to transform the island’s air access. The partnership will be implemented in phases across the 2025 and 2026 tourism seasons, with periodic assessments to ensure alignment with traffic projections, airline capacity, and local development priorities.
Greece and Cyprus have initiated a strategic alliance to turn Skyros Island into a top Aegean tourism destination, with Cyprus-headquartered Zela Aviation to offer private plane services, increase air access, and draw international visitors all year round.
The Skyros-Zela Aviation partnership is expected to serve as a model for other regional tourism hubs across the Aegean, where targeted aviation support and strategic alliances can deliver measurable improvements in accessibility and economic activity.
