Fly Hellas
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA short-lived Greek charter and scheduled passenger airline that operated from 2010 to 2011.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Fly Hellas was a privately owned Greek passenger airline that operated scheduled and charter services in Europe for a brief period between 2010 and 2011. The carrier was created in October 2009 under the name Viking Hellas Airlines and received an air operator's certificate from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. Its principal base was Athens International Airport. The airline began flying on 1 February 2010 with a single McDonnell Douglas MD-83. Its initial operation combined scheduled passenger services with charter flying on European routes. Soon after launching, the company announced an intention to acquire or operate two Airbus A320-200 aircraft, indicating an ambition to expand beyond its initial narrow-body fleet and increase its capacity. The planned fleet development took place against a difficult background for the broader Viking Airlines group and related aviation businesses. In October 2010, Viking Airlines ceased operations. Although a possible restart was discussed for March 2011, that resumption did not occur. During the uncertainty surrounding the wider Viking Airlines organization, Viking Hellas sought to distinguish itself from the group. In February 2011 it announced a rebranding to FlyHellas, and the new name formally took effect on 1 May 2011. The rebranding was intended to create distance from the Viking Airlines A.B. association while preserving the airline's Greek identity. As part of its network and operating-base changes, Fly Hellas announced that it would close its base at London Gatwick Airport and establish a base at Manchester Airport instead. The change suggested an effort to reposition the airline's United Kingdom operations, although the company ultimately did not achieve a sustainable operating platform. Financial difficulties became public in November 2011. On 2 November, Fly Hellas announced that it would suspend all flights for that month while hoping to resume service in December. On 5 December, the airline confirmed that flights would not restart and that it would permanently cease operations and enter administration. All four aircraft associated with the airline at that point were returned to their lessors. Fly Hellas therefore remained a small and short-lived airline rather than developing into a durable European carrier. Its history is defined by its 2009 certification, the launch of operations with an MD-83, an intended transition toward Airbus A320 equipment, the 2011 rebranding from Viking Hellas Airlines, the proposed relocation of its United Kingdom base, and its final shutdown amid financial distress. No continuing passenger operation or active corporate presence is identified in the available reference material.
History
Fly Hellas originated as Viking Hellas Airlines, a Greek airline established in October 2009. The new company obtained an air operator's certificate from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, allowing it to begin commercial operations. Its main base was Athens International Airport, and its business model covered both scheduled and charter passenger flying within Europe. Commercial service began on 1 February 2010. The airline initially operated a single McDonnell Douglas MD-83, a narrow-body aircraft commonly used for short- and medium-haul routes. The combination of scheduled and charter work gave the company flexibility in serving regular markets while also pursuing contracted or seasonal demand. Shortly after beginning operations, the airline announced an order for two Airbus A320-200 aircraft, suggesting plans to modernize and enlarge its fleet. The company operated during a period of instability surrounding the wider Viking Airlines organization. Viking Airlines ceased operations in October 2010 and later considered a return to service in March 2011, but that proposed restart never materialized. In February 2011, Viking Hellas announced that it would adopt the FlyHellas name in order to separate itself from the Viking Airlines A.B. group. The formal name change took place on 1 May 2011, after which the airline was generally identified as Fly Hellas. The rebranded airline also announced a change to its United Kingdom operating structure. It planned to close its base at London Gatwick Airport and establish a new base at Manchester Airport. This represented an attempt to adjust the airline's network and market presence while continuing to serve European passenger demand. The available historical record does not indicate that the planned repositioning developed into a stable long-term operation. By November 2011, Fly Hellas was facing financial difficulties. On 2 November it announced a complete suspension of flights for the month, with the possibility of resuming in December. On 5 December the company stated that it would not restart service, would permanently cease operations, and would enter administration. The airline's four aircraft were returned to their lessors. Fly Hellas consequently became a defunct carrier after less than two years of commercial flying, leaving a history centered on rapid formation, rebranding, attempted fleet growth, and an unsuccessful effort to maintain operations in a competitive European airline market.
- 2011
Viking Hellas adopts the FlyHellas name
[1]In February 2011 the company announced a rebranding intended to distance the airline from the Viking Airlines A.B. group; the new name became official on 1 May.
- 2011
United Kingdom base plans change
[1]Fly Hellas announced plans to close its Gatwick base and open a base at Manchester Airport.
- 2011
Operations end
[1]After suspending flights in November because of financial difficulties, Fly Hellas announced in December that it would not resume service and would enter administration.
- 2010
Commercial operations begin
[1]Scheduled and charter flights began on 1 February 2010 using a single McDonnell Douglas MD-83, with European services forming the airline's operating scope.
- 2010
Airbus A320 expansion is announced
[1]The airline announced an order for two Airbus A320-200 aircraft soon after launching operations.
- 2009
Viking Hellas Airlines is created
[1]The airline was established in October 2009 under the name Viking Hellas Airlines and received an air operator's certificate from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority.
Products and positioning
Airline service · 2010
Scheduled passenger services
Fly Hellas operated scheduled passenger flights within Europe from its Greek base. The airline's scheduled offering was part of a mixed operating model that also included charter work. Available sources do not provide a complete route list, fare structure, cabin configuration, or loyalty program details.
Airline service · 2010
Charter passenger services
The airline also undertook charter flights in Europe, using its narrow-body fleet for contracted or seasonal passenger operations. Specific charter customers, destinations, and contract terms are not identified in the available reference material.
Brand decisions
2011
Rebranding from Viking Hellas Airlines to Fly HellasStrategyBackground
The rebranding followed the cessation of operations by Viking Airlines and was intended to reduce the airline's association with the Viking Airlines A.B. group.
Action taken
The company announced the FlyHellas name in February 2011 and formally adopted Fly Hellas on 1 May 2011.
Aftermath
The new identity remained in use only briefly before the airline suspended flights and permanently ceased operations later in 2011.
2011
Relocation of the United Kingdom operating baseStrategyBackground
Fly Hellas sought to revise its United Kingdom presence after announcing that its Gatwick base would close.
Action taken
The airline announced plans to establish a base at Manchester Airport.
Aftermath
The proposed base change was followed later in the year by a suspension of all flights and the permanent end of operations.
2011
Temporary flight suspension and shutdownOtherBackground
The airline reported financial difficulties in November 2011 and initially presented the suspension as potentially temporary.
Action taken
Fly Hellas stopped all flights for November, then announced on 5 December that service would not restart and that the company would enter administration.
Aftermath
The airline permanently ceased operations and returned all four aircraft to their lessors.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/fly-hellas · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled