Hoper, reportedly the first airline to offer a scheduled helicopter service in Greece, has officially launched operations, allowing quicker and easier island-hopping.
Regular routes have fixed departure times to 11 hard-to-reach islands such as Antiparos, Folegandros, Ios, Kea, Patmos, Sifnos, Spetses, and Tinos, with flight times of less than 45 minutes.
According to local publication Greek Reporter, the company’s five Robinson R44 (three passengers) and R66 (four passengers) helicopters will operate year round.
They will take off from Hoper’s base in Koropi, Athens, just a 15-minute drive from the city’s airport. A few will also depart from Mykonos and Santorini as well as other islands.
The helicopter company plans to add new destinations on the Greek mainland later in the year.
Greece’s Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, described the service as “a unique step without precedent” for tourism in the country.
Fares start from €160 (R3 155) one way, depending on the route, although this may rise due to popular demand.
