CALGARY — Calgary Airports, operator of YYC Calgary International Airport, and Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Cooperation establishing a “Sister Airport” relationship between the two airports.

The agreement creates a practical framework for closer cooperation, with the shared strategic objective of increasing passenger and cargo flows between Calgary and Athens and supporting the long-term case for scheduled nonstop air service between the two cities.

Under the Memorandum, the airports will explore opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing across areas of mutual interest, with the goal of supporting innovation, growth and enhanced connectivity across both passenger and cargo operations.

"Greece is a country many Canadians feel close to, through family ties, shared values and a common love of travel, culture and hospitality. We want more people from Calgary and Western Canada to discover Athens and Greece - and, equally, to welcome more Greek travellers to Calgary, Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. This partnership is about bringing our communities closer and turning that mutual interest into the opportunity for a future nonstop connection."

Balazs Bogats, Chief Commercial Officer, Calgary Airports

"Canadians and Greeks have much more in common than the distance between us might suggest: openness, warmth, strong community ties and a genuine interest in one another. We look forward to introducing more Canadians to Athens and Greece, while offering Greek travellers an easier path to discover Calgary and Western Canada. This partnership is about exploring ways to further strengthen ties between Calgary and Athens and create a sound basis for the establishment of a direct connection between the two cities in the future.  A direct service will not simply connect two airports and two cities; it will bring two peoples even closer, opening a bridge for tourism, business, investment & trade."

Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director, Communications & Marketing, Athens International Airport

The initiative builds on the longstanding relationship and strong people-to-people links between Canada and Greece. It also brings together two growing international gateways: YYC welcomed 19.4 million passengers and served 108 nonstop destinations in 2025, while Athens International Airport handled 34.0 million passengers and connected travellers with 164 destinations in 55 countries through 70 airlines.

The Memorandum is a cooperation framework and does not itself constitute an announcement of airline service.

About Calgary Airports

Calgary Airports (formally, The Calgary Airport Authority) is a non-share capital corporation incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. It is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport and YBW Springbank Airport. Calgary Airports’ commitment to safety remains a top priority. Our airports are important economic generators for the city, region and province, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in GDP through associated economic activity. Calgary Airports was also recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2026.

About Athens International Airport

Athens International Airport S.A. is responsible for the management, operation and development of Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, Greece’s main gateway to the world. AIA supports the development of air connectivity, tourism and the Greek economy through a comprehensive route-development and destination-marketing strategy.

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