It’s no small wonder that Greece is a top destination for globe-trotting Australians. But how can travel advisors ensure their journeys remain streamlined, stimulating and hassle-free?
Travel Weekly spoke with Yannis Apostolou, founder and CEO of Fly In Greece, to uncover how he keeps discerning clients coming back.
Yannis, can you tell us about Fly In Greece and your journey into the luxury aviation sector in Greece and what inspired you to specialise in helicopter charters?
My journey in aviation started back in 2005 as an avionics technician in the Hellenic Navy. In 2009 I transitioned to helicopters where I served both as an aircrewman and as an officer in the helicopter operations department. That military background instilled in me a level of precision and operational discipline that I carry into everything I do today.
All those flight hours over the Greek islands also gave me something invaluable: I saw Greece from above — the hidden coves, the untouched coastlines, the places most people never get to discover. And I always had the vision to share that perspective with travellers.
In 2021 I decided to act on it. I found the name and built a website, but the real trigger came with an unexpected LinkedIn message from chef Maria Loi – global ambassador of Greek gastronomy. She asked for a company profile, so that weekend we created the logo and the profile from scratch.
Fly In Greece was never built around investors or financial targets. We are aviators — people who love flight and love Greece. Our real goal has always been to make people fall in love with this country.
How has the demand for helicopter charters evolved in recent years, particularly among high-end travellers?
In 2021 and 2022, during the post-COVID travel boom, demand was extremely high — particularly for flights to Mykonos.
But what we’re seeing now is a much more interesting shift: travellers are seeking quieter, more authentic destinations.
Places like Milos, Sifnos, Folegandros, Paros and Naxos in the Cyclades, Meganisi, Ithaca and Corfu in the Ionian, and remote gems like Halki and Tilos in the Dodecanese — islands where the ferry journey alone can take days.
We’ve also noticed demand for newer and larger aircraft. In response, we’ve expanded the fleet to include twin-engine helicopters offering higher safety standards, greater comfort and competitive pricing.
Our Australian clients are mostly couples and families, ranging from 25 to 65 years old, and many come back every year. The trend is clear: they want quality, tranquility, good food, sunshine and the sea. That’s exactly what we’ve built our services around.
Australian travellers are known for travelling long-haul and seeking unique experiences. What trends are you seeing from Australian guests visiting Greece, and how does helicopter travel enhance their itineraries?
Australians travel a long way to get to Greece — and that greatly impacts how they want to experience it. When you’ve just spent 24 hours on a plane, the last thing you want is to catch a ferry or wait for a connecting flight.
During peak summer season, Fly In Greece manages around 600 to 650 flights. We see three main ways Australians use helicopter travel. First, the direct transfer: land in Athens, get picked up by our dedicated handler, and fly straight to the islands in as little as 60 minutes. No ferry queues, no domestic connections.
Second, island hopping. Instead of dealing with ferry schedules, clients fly between islands in minutes. It’s very common for guests to visit at least three islands in a single trip.
Third, the combination: fly commercially into Santorini or Mykonos and take a helicopter from there. At every island, we have dedicated ground staff who receive our clients and ensure a professional, seamless experience from the moment they land.
Which helicopter routes or experiences would you recommend most for Australian travellers looking to explore Greece beyond the typical island-hopping itinerary?
I always recommend starting with the classics and building from there. Athens to Sifnos, Athens to Paros or Naxos, or a direct transfer to one of our partner properties.
If guests fly commercially into Mykonos, our representative meets them at the airport and within 15 minutes they can be at the helipad ready to continue to Paros, Patmos, Koufonisia, Milos, Naxos, Sifnos or Syros.
From Santorini, the options are spectacular. Folegandros is just 15 minutes away — we work with some wonderful hotels there. Ios is equally beautiful and we have excellent hotel partnerships on the island too.
For those who want to experience Santorini itself from above, we offer two dedicated tours: a 20-minute flight covering the Caldera, Red Beach, White Beach, Akrotiri Lighthouse, Oia and Imerovigli, and a 30-minute tour that adds Thirasia and a full loop around Nea Kameni, the volcanic island at the heart of the caldera.
Our pilots don’t just fly — they guide you, pointing out landmarks, hidden beaches and volcanic formations along the way.
Are there any new charter products, bespoke itineraries, or luxury partnerships your company is developing that travel advisors in Australia should know about?
Perhaps the most exciting development is our collaboration with celebrity chef Maria Loi who has recently come on board with Erra Travel, a curated Greek experiences company.
Together we are creating The Loi Signature Series, immersive journeys that combine helicopter transfers to hidden gems across Greece.
Following her philosophy of ‘lived-in’ longevity, guests don’t just visit Greece; they absorb it. They cook with Loi on volcanic rock, forage in ancient olive groves and travel by helicopter to places most people never even knew existed. To learn more, or to book an experience, travel advisors can reach the team directly at partners@erratravel.com.
We also have direct landing arrangements with some of Greece’s most prestigious properties — Amanzoé, Four Seasons Athens, Four Seasons Mykonos, and the Myconian Collection at Elia in Mykonos.
We are also developing partnerships in Folegandros and Milos for seamless helicopter-to-hotel experiences on these smaller islands.
The Fly In Greece fleet is expanding. At Athens airport, we will be offering the Agusta 109 VIP twin-engine helicopter combined with a dedicated VIP meet and assist service.
We are also introducing brand new Bell 505 helicopters in Athens and Mykonos. Across Mykonos and Santorini, we are adding twin and single engine options to make island hopping more accessible for families and travellers with larger luggage.
What message would you like to share with Australian travel advisors who may be considering helicopter charters for their clients visiting Greece and how can they book?
Don’t underestimate the helicopter. It is not a luxury add-on — it is the smartest travel decision your clients can make, a complicated multi-leg journey into something seamless, elegant and genuinely memorable.
At Fly In Greece, we understand that your reputation is on the line with every booking you make, and we take that seriously. Our focus is on delivering solutions with speed and precision — whether it’s a last-minute charter, a complex multi-island itinerary, or a bespoke experience with a VIP client.
Travel advisors can reach us 24/7 through our website, by email at sales@flyingreece.com, or via WhatsApp at +30 697 302 8798. We work directly with advisors to build custom itineraries for their clients, advise on the best routes and aircraft, and ensure a flawless experience from start to finish.
Greece is one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world. Help your clients see it the way it was meant to be seen — from above.