After the shutdown of Cyprus Airlines, Aegean Airlines has announced on Tuesday that it is expanding its direct flight program in order to link the island republic of Cyprus with more cities in Greece and Western Europe.

According to the airline’s announcement, the number of destinations connected directly with Cyprus will increase to 14. More specifically, the connection between Greece and Cyprus will be boosted with more frequent flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, and the introduction of a direct flight between Athens and Paphos. The new summer schedule will also include direct connections with Heraklion and Rhodes, while direct connections with Myconos and Santorini will be added in July and August. Eight to nine direct flights with destinations in Greece will depart daily.

The company’s planning focuses on the direct connection of Cyprus with Western Europe and therefore 5 important destinations are added. London – Heathrow, Paris, Munich, Rome and Milan.

Moreover, as of March 30 2015 – the beginning of the summer schedule – Aegean will operate with 4 Airbus A320 aircraft, which will bring its total yearly capacity to over 1.5 million seats, as regards direct connections with Greece and 7 other countries.

Aegean’s Vice-Chairman, Mr Eftichios Vasilakis, stated in a press conference yesterday that Aegean “as the main representative of Greek air transports, believes that it can contribute significantly to the growth of quality tourism in Cyprus and serve passenger needs.”

“We promise to continue our efforts for quality and innovative services, always with competitive prices. With your support, and the efforts of all our people, I believe that today is the first day of our company’s new course of gradual, but long-lasting growth in Cyprus,” Mr. Vasilakis added.