Helicopter Charter · Greece
Athens & Greece
Helicopter Charter
The mainland gateway to the islands. Athens departures to licensed helipads across the Aegean, with the jet and helicopter legs planned by one desk.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 26 August 2026
The Destination
Why charter a helicopter in Greece
Greece has more than 200 inhabited islands and only a handful of commercial air links between them. In summer the ferries run full, villas on the big-name islands sell out, and the season peaks June through September. The islands most travellers are heading for, Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and their neighbours, sit a short flight from the mainland.
Helicopter charter in Greece is how that last leg actually works. Since 2016, Mykonos airport has run slot restrictions for private aircraft from May to October, jets drop passengers and reposition rather than park, and overnight parking at Athens is capped at roughly 48 hours. Flying from Athens to a licensed island helipad closes the gap, with no island airport slot in the equation.
How island transfers work
Your jet lands in Athens and the helicopter takes the last leg, timed to your arrival. We land at licensed helipads only, all island flights operate in daylight, and passenger and baggage weights are confirmed at booking.
Where we fly
Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and Antiparos are the most flown, with Crete, Spetses, Hydra and the wider Aegean on request, including islands with no airport at all. Every destination carries its own working reference.
When to book
For July and August, reserve one to three months ahead; the best aircraft go first. Across the rest of the season, four to six weeks out still secures the aircraft you want.
The Season
When is the best time to fly in Greece?
The season runs April to October, and the answer depends on whether you want the islands at full volume or at their calmest. May, early July and September offer the most settled flying weather. Wind is the one variable that matters year-round: gusty days can delay or divert island flights, and a booked charter is rescheduled within your travel window when a weather window closes.
Beach clubs open, yacht traffic at its heaviest, and helicopter demand at its annual peak. For July and August, book one to three months ahead.
Calmer winds, easier aircraft availability and quieter islands either side of the peak, with May among the most settled flying windows.
The Numbers
What shapes a Greek helicopter quote
Every quote is built from the same inputs, and understanding them is the fastest way to better options.
The inputs
- Aircraft type: a twin-engine H-135 and a single-engine R-44 price differently for the same leg.
- Routing: one-way legs can require repositioning that a round trip avoids.
- Landing sites: private helipads such as Scorpios on Mykonos carry their own permissions.
- Season: July and August carry the year’s strongest demand.
- Party size and luggage: weights decide which aircraft can fly the leg at all.
How to improve your options
- Book early for peak dates.
- Keep timing flexible by an hour or two around wind.
- Confirm weights accurately at booking rather than at the helipad.
- Tell us the full itinerary, jet included: planning both legs together is the difference between a workable schedule and a perfect one.
- Quotes come back within 60 minutes.
On The Ground
Where we land in Greece
Athens International · ATH · LGAV
Departure baseThe mainland gateway where the jet and helicopter legs meet. In summer, overnight jet parking is capped at roughly 48 hours, so we plan both legs as one itinerary.
Mykonos beach helipads
Approved padsOrnos Beach, Kalo Livadi and the well-known Scorpios helipad, subject to permissions. The full detail lives on the Mykonos page.
Santorini licensed sites
Licensed onlyAuthorities have suspended flights over unlicensed pads, so a compliant landing site is a booking condition, not an option.
The wider Aegean
On requestParos, Antiparos, Crete, Spetses, Hydra and islands with no airport at all, reached at licensed sites arranged per booking.
Ground transfers between helipad, hotel and villa are arranged with the charter on every island.
The Standard
The aircraft and the operating standard
The fleet
From Athens we operate the Leonardo AW139, the Airbus H-125, the twin-engine Airbus H-135 and the Robinson R-44. For over-water legs we recommend twin-engine types for the redundancy benefit; the H-135 carries up to six passengers. See our helicopter fleet.
The rules we fly by
EASA-approved operators only, flown by commercially qualified, locally resident pilots. Licensed helipads only. Daylight operations only. Strict preventive maintenance and pre-flight inspections on every aircraft.
Get Your Number
Request a helicopter
Send the route, the date and the party size and we come back with the right aircraft and a price, anywhere in the network.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email info@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.
FAQ about helicopter charter in Greece
How far in advance should I book a helicopter in Greece?
For July and August, reserve one to three months ahead. Across the rest of the April to October season, the best aircraft still book four to six weeks out.
How long is the helicopter flight from Athens to Mykonos?
Typically 45 to 55 minutes depending on aircraft and routing, against hours on a ferry.
How long is the flight from Athens to Santorini?
Just over an hour on a single or twin-engine helicopter.
Where can helicopters land on Mykonos?
Approved helipads only, including Mykonos Airport (LGMK), Kalo Livadi, Ornos Beach, and selected private sites such as the Scorpios helipad, subject to permissions.
Can helicopters fly at night in Greece?
No. Greek island helicopter operations are daytime only, so itineraries are planned around daylight.
Should I choose a single or twin engine helicopter?
Both operate across the islands. Twin-engine aircraft add engine redundancy, which many passengers prefer for over-water legs; singles are efficient for short hops.
What happens if the weather turns?
Wind can delay or divert island flights, especially around Mykonos and Santorini. The most settled windows are May to early July and September, and a booked charter is rescheduled within your travel window when conditions close in.
Are there luggage limits on island transfers?
Yes. Passenger and baggage weights are confirmed at booking, and the desk matches the aircraft to the load.
Can our jet wait in Athens while we island-hop?
In summer, overnight parking at Athens is limited to roughly 48 hours, so aircraft commonly reposition. We plan the jet and helicopter legs together.
Which Greek islands can we reach by helicopter?
Mykonos, Santorini, Paros and Antiparos are the most flown, with Crete, Spetses, Hydra and the wider Aegean on request, including islands with no airport at all.