Two new international routes out of Athens launch this week, extending the Greek capital’s connectivity through the winter season and offering travellers more direct options into and out of Greece.
Sky Express: Athens–Barcelona from 22 October
Sky Express will begin twice-weekly service between Athens International Airport (ATH) and Barcelona El Prat (BCN) from 22 October 2026, operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The route gives the carrier its first direct link to Spain and connects visitors in both directions without a hub transfer through London, Paris or Frankfurt.
For travellers combining western Europe with Greece, the service removes a connection through a major hub. Barcelona is also a popular embarkation point for eastern Mediterranean cruises, so the link may appeal to passengers anchoring a Greece trip around a cruise itinerary.
Aegean Airlines: Athens–Dubai from 23 October
Aegean Airlines resumes its Athens–Dubai (DXB) route from 23 October 2026, operating three times weekly. The service — which ran in previous winter seasons — targets leisure travellers connecting from the Gulf as well as business passengers between the two cities.
Dubai is a major connecting hub for onward flights to South and Southeast Asia, so the reinstatement also improves indirect connectivity between Athens and destinations including Bangkok, Singapore and Colombo for travellers who prefer routing through Athens rather than a western European hub.
What this means for visitors
Both routes increase Athens’ reach during the shoulder and winter months, when transatlantic and charter services typically scale back. The winter period from late October through March is one of the most underrated times to explore Athens and mainland Greece: crowds are smaller, prices are lower, and key sites such as the Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum are far more relaxed.
If you are planning a trip around these new connections, our one-week Greece itinerary covers the strongest combination of Athens and the islands, and the two-day Athens guide shows how to see the capital’s highlights efficiently as part of a wider trip.
Booking
Both routes are now on sale. Sky Express tickets are available at skyexpress.gr; Aegean tickets at aegeanair.com. New routes typically launch with competitive introductory fares, and booking early is advisable if your travel dates are fixed.