Volotea, the Spanish airline, has made the surprising decision to close its base in Athens, Greece by the end of the summer of 2025. This move marks the end of six years of operations for the carrier at Athens International Airport (ATH). Despite this closure, Volotea will still maintain its flights to and from Athens through services provided from other cities within its network.

Volotea has been making significant strides in expanding its reach from Athens in recent years, offering direct flights to 16 different European destinations. The addition of new routes to Marseille and Lyon in 2023 and various other European cities in 2024 reflected the carrier's commitment to growth in the Greek market.

Although Greece accounted for a small portion of Volotea's overall operations, the airline's presence in Athens played a crucial role in its European flights, with over 500 employees working at the airport. In light of the closure, SKY Express, a Greek airline, has extended a supportive hand to affected Volotea employees by encouraging them to explore opportunities within its own expanding team in Athens.

Despite the base closure, Volotea remains dedicated to strengthening its partnership with Aegean Airlines, Greece's largest carrier. The codeshare agreement between the two airlines, established to enhance connectivity in Greece and expand their joint presence across Europe, will continue uninterrupted. This partnership enables passengers to access a wide range of destinations and routes across Europe, emphasizing both airlines’ commitment to providing seamless travel experiences.

As Volotea prepares to shut down its Athens base, its operations across Europe remain robust, with 20 other bases set to continue operations. The airline boasts a fleet of 45 Airbus narrowbody aircraft and over 2,000 employees, reflecting its commitment to providing reliable and efficient services to passengers across the continent.