Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region decries Aegean Airlines’ response as “unacceptable”
The Regional Authority of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) has condemned as "completely unacceptable" the response from Aegean Airlines to a joint protest letter sent by local officials regarding the cancellation of morning flights to and from Kavala.
The protest letter, co-signed by the Deputy Regional Governor of Kavala Mr. Theodoros Markopoulos, Kavala Mayor Mr. Theodoros Mouriadis, and Chamber of Commerce President Mr. Ioannis Panagiotidis, expressed deep concern over the company’s decision to scrap key morning routes connecting Kavala with Athens.
Aegean’s reply was met with outrage, as it was deemed self-serving and dismissive. The airline reportedly justified its decision by citing the proximity of other regional airports in Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki, implying that Kavala’s "Alexander the Great" Airport is not essential. Moreover, it downplayed the touristic and economic significance of both Kavala and Thassos, favoring Greek islands instead as priority destinations—an approach that regional officials described as offensive and shortsighted.
The airline also blamed the reduction in flights on internal fleet limitations, a justification that local authorities labeled a disappointing excuse reflecting poor operational planning.
In response, a new formal letter was sent today to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Infrastructure & Transport Minister Christos Dimas, requesting immediate government intervention to secure basic air connectivity between Kavala and Athens. Officials argue that such connectivity is crucial for balanced national development and equitable treatment of regional citizens, as defined in national and regional spatial planning strategies.
The new letter has also been forwarded to all Members of Parliament and institutional stakeholders in the Kavala regional unit. Further coordination among local actors is expected tomorrow to determine the next steps if Aegean Airlines maintains its current stance.
