LivinginCrete | Air Athens Crete-Bound

If you are living in Crete there is a new air connection between Athens and Crete. Athens Airways (IATA Flight Code ZF), new arrival on the aviation scene in Greece, starts flying out of its new base of Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to Chania (March 26) and Heraklion (April 2) in Crete.

The airline started flying to its first destination Alexandroupoli in January along with Kavala and starts March 12 to Thessaloniki. Other destinations Mykonos, Mytilene, Santorini are being phased in also.

Founded in October 2008 by businessman - Sakis Andrianopoulos, Athens Airways is based in Koropi, Athens. The airline says the focus will be on business passenger traffic using the small 50 seat, Brazilian built, Embraer ERJ-145 jet aircraft. Two of these aircraft are second hand, FlyBE jets.

Industry observers say that the business "business" model for this low cost carrier will be a gamble even with seats starting from a give-away 1 euro plus taxes. In its streamlining of costs, ticket booking is handled online as is check in.

Crete air services: Non flexi fare starts at 1 euro plus taxes
Semi flexi fare starts at 88 euros plus taxes
Premium full flexibility starts at 136 plus taxes

The initial fleet of 4 Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft have been delivered.

Athens - Chania, March 26 onwards
Flies Twice a day
Flt ZF 640 0650 - 0735
Flt ZF 646 1840 - 1925

Chania - Athens, March 26 onwards
Flies Twice a day
Flt ZF 641 0805 - 0850
Flt ZF 647 1955 - 2040

Athens- Heraklion, April 2 onwards
Flies Three times a day
Flt ZF 622 0930 - 1020
Flt ZF 624 1520 - 1610 (nice mid afternoon flight)
Flt ZF 628 2100 - 2150

Heraklion - Athens, April 2 onwards
Flies Three times a day
Flt ZF 623 1050 - 1140
Flt ZF 625 1640 - 1730 (nice late afternoon flight)
Flt ZF 629 2220 - 2310

Details from website: www.athensairways.com