The connection of Smyrna to Thessaloniki is also inaugurated.
Four new air connections between ConstantinopleThe Greek islands, as well as the new link between Smyrna and Thessaloniki, announced by Aegean Airlines. The four Greek islands that will be connected to Aegean Airlines’ new direct seasonal flights with Istanbul are Rhodes, Crete, Mykonos and Santorini.
At an event, which took place at the Sismanoglio Mansion in Constantinople, the Consul General of Greece, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, as well as the new-appointed head of the EOT office, Maria Rachmanidou, presented to the Turkish public and the Turkish public and the Turkish public.
Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras highlighted the multi-dimensional role that tourism diplomacy can play in Greek-Turkish relations and pointed to the importance of Greece’s new tourist opening to Turkey, in conjunction with the line-up for another year that was given to the Visa-EXPRESS program. This program, last year for ten Aegean islands (Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Rhodes, Symi, Kastellorizo, Samos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos), are added this year Patmos and Samothraki.
“Improving access to the Greek islands from Constantinople encourages leisure trips, business partnerships and deeper understanding. We believe that strengthening contact through tourism can cultivate the dialogue between Greece and Turkey, building mutual respect and cooperation, “said Ambassador Con. Koutras, encouraging Turkish tourist agents, who attended the Consulate General event, to present Constantinople and the Greek islands to their customers through new flights that started above the Aegean.
“Greece and Turkey are not only sharing geographical proximity, but also a long, interconnected history, a rich cultural heritage and a common love for hospitality. Tourism has always been a bridge connecting our peoples, cultivating mutual understanding and economic development, “said Maria Rachmanidou, head of the EOT office in Constantinople.
At the event, given by the Airlines executives and employees, tourism professionals, diplomats and journalists, Aegean Airlines Country Manager Mirrei Gioldag made a presentation, stressing that Greece is a tourist destination for four seasons, among others, Ski resorts, spa, diving and sailing.
The presentation also included the Aegean Airlines Heraklion route, which was first exposed the day before the event, on April 8, 2025, the flights to the line between Smyrna and Thessaloniki will begin on June 22.
