Hellenic Imperial Airways
Encyclopedia
Hellenic Imperial Airways is an airline
with its head office in Ellinikon
, South Athens, Greece
. It operates charter
and scheduled flights.
The airline commenced scheduled operations on 30 May 2009 with the route Birmingham
-Athens
-Jeddah
. The route has since been suspended until further notice, though the airline is looking for more suited aircraft for the route.
Hellenic Imperial Airways launched its new website in April 2010 as a part of their new promotional campaign for the company's new activities. The new website allows customers to book services online, and has live news feeds regarding flights and services.
In early May 2010 Hellenic Imperial announced it is to begin scheduled services to Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport beginning on the 8th of June 2010. These flights will fill the gap left by Olympic Airlines when they ceased services to the airport last September.
During the Libyan Crisis Hellenic Imperial Airways operated charter services from Tripoli to Heraklion and from Heraklion directly to Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing and Hanoi. In total the carrier evacuated 3,000 Chinese citizens from Libya via Greece.
On June 24, 2011, Hellenic Imperial Airways inaugurated its first direct flight HT0411 from Athens to New York JFK operated by Boeing 747-200B as opposed to the planned Airbus A340-300X.
, the United States of America, Damascus
, Bucharest
, Dubai
, Casablanca
, Jeddah
, London
, and Paris
. Other future destinations to be commenced at a later point include Sydney
, Melbourne
, Tokyo
, and Beijing
.
In December 2009, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority redistributed the rights of some former Olympic Airlines
routes as stipulated by the EU, with Hellenic Imperial Airways winning the rights to fly from Athens International Airport to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport
, Dubai International Airport
, and Johannesburg International Airport
.
As of May 2010, the US Department of Transportation
approved Hellenic Imperial's application for rights to fly scheduled and charter flights to the United States of America from Greece
, which the airline had applied for in October 2009. The approval allows the carrier to begin scheduled services to and from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport
, which the airline plans to start in late June/early July.
On 5 January 2011 HT (Hellenic Imperial Airways) published its new plans on its website after the suspension of flights to Johannesburg on July 2010. New York and Chicago were announced for summer (May/June) 2011, as well as Montreal and Toronto. As of Jan 2011, the HT-website further states that final arrangements are being made for services to Melbourne and other international destinations.
On 19 February 2011 Hellenic Imperial's International flight map showed Bahrain, Beirut, Casablanca, Dakar, Dubai, Islamabad, Jeddah, Kuwait, Lahore, Montreal, New York and Toronto as International destinations. On its Eurozone map desitnations that are shown are: Birmingham, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Lyon, Marseille, Stockholm and Thessaloniki. None of the European destinations are confirmed yet. More information will be known in mid-March when the new booking system will be in place. The carrier announced a phase by phase expansion including the first phase which will see short and medium haul routes to Europe and the Middle East along with flights to North America. Phase two will include flights to th Far East and Australia.
On 9 May 2011 the booking engine on the airline's website was activated and flights to New York-JFK could be booked. Service operates 4 times a week with a Boeing 747-200B starting 24 June 2011.
On October 10, 2011, the airline announced the suspension of all its flights to New York-JFK airport until December 31, 2011, citing the delay in the delivery of its A340 aircraft.
, Athens Prefecture
. The United Kingdom
offices are in the Axis House in Harlington
, London
Borough of Hillingdon
. The South Africa
offices are in the Holiday House in Randburg, Johannesburg
.
Such destinations include limited domestic services and flights to Cyprus and Turkey during summer periods out of Athens and Thessaloniki.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
with its head office in Ellinikon
Ellinikon
Ellinikon is a suburb of Athens, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Elliniko-Argyroupoli, of which it is a municipal unit....
, South Athens, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It operates charter
Air charter
Air charter is the business of renting an entire aircraft as opposed to individual aircraft seats...
and scheduled flights.
History
The airline was incorporated in May 2006 by a team of industry veterans, and currently operates charter flights and aircraft leasing on an ACMI basis.The airline commenced scheduled operations on 30 May 2009 with the route Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
-Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
-Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
. The route has since been suspended until further notice, though the airline is looking for more suited aircraft for the route.
Hellenic Imperial Airways launched its new website in April 2010 as a part of their new promotional campaign for the company's new activities. The new website allows customers to book services online, and has live news feeds regarding flights and services.
In early May 2010 Hellenic Imperial announced it is to begin scheduled services to Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport beginning on the 8th of June 2010. These flights will fill the gap left by Olympic Airlines when they ceased services to the airport last September.
During the Libyan Crisis Hellenic Imperial Airways operated charter services from Tripoli to Heraklion and from Heraklion directly to Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing and Hanoi. In total the carrier evacuated 3,000 Chinese citizens from Libya via Greece.
On June 24, 2011, Hellenic Imperial Airways inaugurated its first direct flight HT0411 from Athens to New York JFK operated by Boeing 747-200B as opposed to the planned Airbus A340-300X.
Future
Hellenic Imperial Airways has ambitious plans to expand its operations and fleet, and re-connect Greece worldwide to create a large network of scheduled flights around the globe. The carrier aims to serve more than 18<28 destinations by 2012. In its first phase of its expansion to begin in June 2010, Hellenic Imperial plans to offer nonstop flight to and from JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, the United States of America, Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, Casablanca
Casablanca
Casablanca is a city in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Grand Casablanca region.Casablanca is Morocco's largest city as well as its chief port. It is also the biggest city in the Maghreb. The 2004 census recorded a population of 2,949,805 in the prefecture...
, Jeddah
Jeddah
Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. Other future destinations to be commenced at a later point include Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, and Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.
In December 2009, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority redistributed the rights of some former Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines was the flag carrier airline of Greece, with its head office in Athens. It operated services to 37 domestic destinations and to 32 destinations world-wide. Its main base was at Athens International Airport, with hubs at Thessaloniki International Airport, "Macedonia" and Rhodes...
routes as stipulated by the EU, with Hellenic Imperial Airways winning the rights to fly from Athens International Airport to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport is located 9 km from the city centre in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon and is the only operational commercial airport in the country. It is the hub for Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines...
, Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
, and Johannesburg International Airport
Johannesburg International Airport
OR Tambo International Airport is a large airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa, near the city of Johannesburg. It serves as the primary airport for domestic and international travel to/from South Africa and is Africa's busiest airport with a capacity handle up to 28,000,000...
.
As of May 2010, the US Department of Transportation
Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation is the most common name for a government agency in North America devoted to transportation. The largest is the United States Department of Transportation, which oversees interstate travel. All U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and many local agencies also have...
approved Hellenic Imperial's application for rights to fly scheduled and charter flights to the United States of America from Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, which the airline had applied for in October 2009. The approval allows the carrier to begin scheduled services to and from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
, which the airline plans to start in late June/early July.
On 5 January 2011 HT (Hellenic Imperial Airways) published its new plans on its website after the suspension of flights to Johannesburg on July 2010. New York and Chicago were announced for summer (May/June) 2011, as well as Montreal and Toronto. As of Jan 2011, the HT-website further states that final arrangements are being made for services to Melbourne and other international destinations.
On 19 February 2011 Hellenic Imperial's International flight map showed Bahrain, Beirut, Casablanca, Dakar, Dubai, Islamabad, Jeddah, Kuwait, Lahore, Montreal, New York and Toronto as International destinations. On its Eurozone map desitnations that are shown are: Birmingham, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Lyon, Marseille, Stockholm and Thessaloniki. None of the European destinations are confirmed yet. More information will be known in mid-March when the new booking system will be in place. The carrier announced a phase by phase expansion including the first phase which will see short and medium haul routes to Europe and the Middle East along with flights to North America. Phase two will include flights to th Far East and Australia.
On 9 May 2011 the booking engine on the airline's website was activated and flights to New York-JFK could be booked. Service operates 4 times a week with a Boeing 747-200B starting 24 June 2011.
On October 10, 2011, the airline announced the suspension of all its flights to New York-JFK airport until December 31, 2011, citing the delay in the delivery of its A340 aircraft.
Corporate affairs
The airline's head office is in EllinikonEllinikon
Ellinikon is a suburb of Athens, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Elliniko-Argyroupoli, of which it is a municipal unit....
, Athens Prefecture
Athens Prefecture
The Athens Prefecture was one of the prefectures of Greece. It was part of the Attica region and the Athens-Piraeus super-prefecture. The capital of the prefecture was the city of Athens. After Lefkada Prefecture it was the second-smallest in Greece, but was the most populous and most densely...
. The United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
offices are in the Axis House in Harlington
Harlington, London
Harlington is a suburban area in the London Borough of Hillingdon, on the northern perimeter of London Heathrow Airport. It is situated west of Charing Cross.-Etymology:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Borough of Hillingdon
London Borough of Hillingdon
The London Borough of Hillingdon is the westernmost borough in Greater London, England. The borough's population was recorded as 243,006 in the 2001 Census. The borough incorporates the former districts of Ruislip-Northwood, Uxbridge, Hayes and Harlington and Yiewsley and West Drayton in the...
. The South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
offices are in the Holiday House in Randburg, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
.
Destinations
Hellenic Imperial Airways serves the following scheduled destinations (at October 2011):- Greece
- AthensAthensAthens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
- Athens International Airport Base
- Athens
- South Africa
- JohannesburgJohannesburgJohannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
- OR Tambo International Airport [seasonal]
- Johannesburg
- United States
- New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
- John F. Kennedy International AirportJohn F. Kennedy International AirportJohn F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
[resumes 31 December]
- New York
Terminated destinations
- Morocco - Casablanca
- Saudi Arabia - Jeddah (HR flights)
- United Kingdom - Birmingham, London
Charter operations
Hellenic Imperial Airways serves many charter destinations through Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas during peak season and on demand via leases or wet leases to various carriers.Such destinations include limited domestic services and flights to Cyprus and Turkey during summer periods out of Athens and Thessaloniki.
Fleet
The Hellenic Imperial Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft (at 11 April 2011):| Aircraft | In Service | On Order | Passengers (First/Business/Economy) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A340-300 | 0 | 2 | 249 (8/24/217) | Delivery from Gulf Air Gulf Air Gulf Air is the principal flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Headquartered in Muharraq, adjacent to Bahrain International Airport, the airline operates scheduled services to 45 destinations in 28 countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. Its main base is Bahrain International Airport... To operate long haul services to New York-JFK To operate in a three class configuration |
| Boeing 747-200B | 4 | 0 | 458 (8/0/450) 456 (0/18/438) |
Operating all current services |
| Total | 4 | 4 |