Greece has a new company, Hoper, that offers scheduled helicopter flights to and from 11 destinations in Greece. This service drastically cuts down travel time compared to traditional ferries, which can take up to six hours. Other companies like Blade and Uber also offer premium helicopter services for travelers in Greece.
With Hoper, travelers can reach some of Greece’s most remote destinations in under 45 minutes, flying from places like Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini to islands such as Antiparos, Spetses, and Tinos. One-way fares start at $195 and can go up to around $380, depending on the location. For example, a 48-minute flight from Athens to Mykonos without luggage costs nearly $440.
Hoper CEO Demitris Memos stated that the company turns hours into minutes, allowing travelers to maximize their vacation time. While ferry services in Greece can take several hours and stop at multiple islands, helicopters provide a faster and more convenient option for travelers. Hoper also offers chartered helicopter flights for the same routes.
The booming air taxi industry is becoming increasingly popular globally as more companies offer flights for those willing to pay a premium for faster travel times. In New York City regulations for helicopters are being considered due to noise complaints while luxury hotels such as Marriott are offering free helicopter airport transfers operated by companies like Blade which also provides private helicopter services in other regions. Companies like Archer and Volocopter are also part of this growing trend towards faster and more convenient ways of travel for those willing to pay a premium.
In conclusion, Hoper is revolutionizing the way people travel in Greece by providing fast and convenient helicopter flights that cut down travel time significantly compared to traditional ferries. The air taxi industry is booming globally as more companies are emerging offering similar services with various features such as chartered flights for the same routes.