Ryanair is establishing a bridgehead in Greece with the launch of low fare flights from new bases in Athens and Thessaloniki.
The creation of the budget carrier’s second and third bases in the country, in addition to Chania in Crete, are part of a $280 million investment which will see nine new routes being opened from April.
Six new Athens routes and three from Thessaloniki go on sale today (Wednesday).
Two aircraft will be based in Athens running flights to Chania, London, Milan, Paphos, Rhodes and Thessaloniki.
A total of 154 flights a week are planned as the airline aims to carry 1.2 million new passengers from the Greek capital.
New routes to Athens, Pisa and Warsaw will run from Thessaloniki, bringing the total up to 16, including London, Brussels and Milan.
Ryanair commercial director David O’Brien said: “These six new Athens routes with multiple daily frequencies to Chania, London, Milan, Paphos, Rhodes and Thessaloniki, are ideal for business passengers or families booking getaways from summer 2014.”
The carrier claims the move will enable Greek consumers and visitors to “escape Aegean/Olympic’s high fares”.
O’Brien added: “Only Ryanair, with its 175 new aircraft order, can deliver the capacity, new markets and low costs demanded by Greek consumers and visitors, and looks forward to working with Athens airport to unlock the vast potential currently suppressed by high access air costs.”