Aria Hotels to Combine Innovation with Greek Hospitality Through Electric Aircraft Offering

July 25, 2022

[July 25, 2022, Athens, Greece]: Aria Hotels, one of the hospitality subsidiaries of the Libra Group, has announced a first-of-its-kind deal with LCI, a leading aviation company, to provide its guests with access to electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These highly innovative vehicles will expand guests’ opportunities to experience the full beauty of Greece. 

 

Aria, a boutique hospitality group with 50 properties across Greece that is known for curating authentic Greek experiences, will offer the use of 10 ALIA-250 eVTOLs to help holiday-goers traverse Greece and its isles, while also serving the wider community by transporting time-sensitive cargo, in a greener, faster, and more affordable way. The all-electric ALIA is net carbon-zero and designed to carry five passengers and a pilot or 1,400 lbs (635 kgs) of payload. With a maximum range of 250 nautical miles and the ability to recharge in under an hour, these aircraft are ideal to transport tourists from Greece’s mainland to its isles and everywhere in between.

 

The decision by Aria to lease the eVTOLs marks a breakthrough in the global hospitality sector. While it advances ecotourism in Greece, the announcement also reflects Aria’s commitment to preserving authentic Greek hospitality including its untouched natural resources. Aria has sought out exceptional properties including retrofitted windmills, restored grand villas steeped in history, and ‘undiscovered gems’ that are deliberately off the beaten track and offer a taste of unspoiled Greece, as well as other family-orientated hotels.

 

Earlier this year, LCI, a leading aviation company that is a sister company of Aria through the Libra Group, a privately-owned business group whose subsidiaries own and operate assets in nearly 60 countries, announced the acquisition of up to 125 eVTOL aircraft from BETA Technologies, the U.S.-based company that designed and is building the ALIA. The target delivery date for the ALIA is 2026, when it will be offered for use by Aria customers. Aria plans to partner with a local Greek aviation company to operate the aircraft.

 

“Aria Hotels is proud to bring this future-forward aircraft to Greece, which promises to revolutionize travel for holiday-goers looking to explore authentic Greek culture. We are excited to offer this experience which is unlike any other to future guests of Aria properties across Greece, whether in Athens, Evia, Cyclades, Crete, Epirus, the Peloponnese, or the Sporades and Ionian Islands,” said Makis Pantazatos, CEO of Aria Hotels. “We look forward to helping many more travelers explore Greece’s distinctive culture and hospitality in a way that is both efficient and sustainable.”

 

“We are very proud that Aria Hotels is the first hospitality group in the world to offer the use of eVTOLs, which brings this paradigm-shifting technology to Greece, supporting the environment and the economy,” said Libra Group Chairman and CEO George M. Logothetis. “As a global organization, the Libra Group and our subsidiaries are committed to reimagining our businesses through the lens of environmental impact and innovation to contribute to a better future. We look forward to supporting synergies across our organization, and deploying truly sustainable technology for air mobility that protects our future.”

 

“LCI is honored to be supporting the launch of this ground-breaking eVTOL strategy for the hospitality sector, and helping Aria Hotels to develop this innovative and sustainable transport operation for their customers as well as the wider Greek community,” said Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI.

 

For more information, visit ariahotels.gr and www.lciaviation.com.

 

 

About Aria Hotels

Aria Hotels (www.ariahotels.gr) is a privately-owned boutique hotel and villas company that offers authentic hospitality experiences and the ultimate in simple, effortless charm. The company has numerous hotels and villas in exceptional destinations of unique natural beauty throughout Greece: Athens, Evia, Cyclades, Crete, Epirus, the Peloponnese, Sporades & Ionian Islands. The locations are chosen to appeal to discerning travellers and many are ‘off the beaten track’.

 

The Aria Hotels philosophy is founded on three principles: respect for the environment, an appreciation of culture, and a passion for discovery. Each hotel has been selected for its architectural merit and its contribution to the preservation of local heritage. Outstanding quality in service and accommodation are the core of the Aria Hotels experience. Aria Hotels is a subsidiary of the family-owned Libra Group.

 

 

About LCI

LCI (www.lciaviation.com) is a privately-owned aircraft lessor founded in 2004. Since its inception, LCI has undertaken in excess of US$8 billion of transactions in the fixed-wing, helicopter, and advanced air mobility markets, and provides leasing services to airlines, freight carriers and helicopter operators. LCI is the aviation subsidiary the Libra Group.

 

 

About Libra Group

The Libra Group (www.libra.com) is a privately owned international business group whose subsidiaries own and operate assets in nearly 60 countries. The group is predominantly active in six sectors, including several vital to the global economy. These sectors include maritime, aviation, renewable energy, real estate and hospitality, as well as selected diversified investments. The group has also created 10 social responsibility programs that have a positive impact on the lives of many people around the world. The Libra Group is committed to supporting a more sustainable and equitable future, including harnessing human ingenuity to help mitigate climate change while promoting diversity and inclusion throughout our global footprint.

 

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