With tourism trips very much back on the menu, Greece-based VIP helicopter operator Superior Air has this year been buying brand new helicopters, delivered direct from Airbus, to set it up for the summer season. The first to arrive several weeks ago was a twin engine ACH135, and most recently came a single engine ACH125, both of which will be based in Athens. A third, an ACH130, is due to arrive imminently and will be based on Mykonos. All three are air-conditioned and equipped with a flotation system, as is the rest of the fleet. “Most of our flights in Greece are over the sea,” notes sales manager Marianna Margeti. “So this adds to the safety. And our market prefers a brand new helicopter, as they think it’s better. Most of our clients ask for twin engine helicopters with a double crew too; they feel safer.”

The company fleet also consists of three R66 single engines, one Bell 407 and an A109C twin, giving a range of passenger capacities from four up to seven. “The company operates six aircraft types from three different bases in Greece in order to provide the most suitable solutions at the best price,” says Margeti. “During the summer period, May to October, our fleet is based in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini island.”

From Mykonos, for example, the company can provide day trips to any other island, but a popular destination by helicopter is Koufonisia, where there is no airport and only an irregular boat service. It is not easily accessible by any other means than a helicopter. And with Mykonos being nearer the island than Athens, it is a more cost effective solution. “Most clients like doing day trips,” she adds. “We already have many bookings for these fleet additions and requests – hopefully we will book them all, all day every day.”