Tourists will be able to hop from one Greek island to the next like never before in 2026, thanks to a new technological development by a hotel company in Greece.
Aria Hotels announced a first-of-its-kind deal with LCI, a leading aviation company, to provide guests with access to electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
These highly innovative vehicles will expand visitors’ opportunities to experience Greece in an entirely new way. Aria aims to have 10 of the new high-tech aircraft in its fleet by 2026.
In addition to serving guests, the vessels will be used to serve the wider community by transporting time-sensitive cargo in a greener, faster and more affordable way.
“Aria Hotels is proud to bring this future-forward aircraft to Greece, which promises to revolutionize travel for holiday-goers looking to explore authentic Greek culture,” Aria Hotels CEO Makis Pantazatos said.
“We are excited to offer this experience which is unlike any other to future guests of Aria properties across Greece, whether in Athens, Evia, Cyclades, Crete, Epirus, the Peloponnese or the Sporades and Ionian Islands,” Pantazatos said.
The all-electric ALIA aircraft are net carbon-zero and designed to carry five passengers and a pilot, or 1,400 lbs (635 kgs) of cargo. They boast a maximum range of 250 nautical miles and the ability to recharge in under an hour.
The decision by Aria to lease the aircraft marks a breakthrough in the global hospitality sector while advancing ecotourism in Greece. The company plans to partner with a local Greek aviation company to operate the aircraft.
Aria is a boutique hospitality group with 50 properties across Greece that is known for curating authentic experiences. The company has sought out various properties including retrofitted windmills, restored grand villas steeped in history, and ‘undiscovered gems’ found off the beaten track, as well as other family-orientated hotels.
Aria is one of the hospitality subsidiaries of the Libra Group, a privately-owned business group whose subsidiaries own and operate assets in nearly 60 countries.
“We are very proud that Aria Hotels is the first hospitality group in the world to offer the use of eVTOLs, which brings this paradigm-shifting technology to Greece, supporting the environment and the economy,” Libra Group Chairman and CEO George M. Logothetis said.
“As a global organization, the Libra Group and our subsidiaries are committed to reimagining our businesses through the lens of environmental impact and innovation to contribute to a better future,” Logothetis said.
“We look forward to supporting synergies across our organization, and deploying truly sustainable technology for air mobility that protects our future,” he said.
“LCI is honored to be supporting the launch of this ground-breaking eVTOL strategy for the hospitality sector, and helping Aria Hotels to develop this innovative and sustainable transport operation for their customers as well as the wider Greek community,” LCI CEO Jaspal Jandu said.
For more information about Aria Hotels, visit the company’s website.
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