As Orthodoxou Aviation celebrates its 30th anniversary, Senior Manager Elena Costa talks about how the company has established a significant presence in airline representation and shares her thoughts about what the aviation company of the future will look like.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Orthodoxou Aviation. How has this three-decade journey shaped the company’s current market position?
Orthodoxou Aviation was founded with the aim of providing a broad range of services in the tourism and travel sector. Our 30-year journey has enabled us to build a strong foundation of trust, reputation and expertise. Orthodoxou Aviation capitalised on this background to establish a significant presence in airline representation. Our deep understanding of tourism demand and international networks was instrumental in forming strategic partnerships with major carriers and creating value-added aviation services. Our longstanding experience and adaptability to market shifts have been key to our growth. Our expansion strategy is centred on organic growth, targeted partnerships and the vertical integration of operations. We constantly monitor market trends and evaluate emerging opportunities, particularly in sustainable tourism development, digital services, and logistics.
Which airlines do you represent?
Today, we are proud to represent Gulf Air, Air India, AnimaWings, SkyUp, Arkia, Ethiopian Airlines and Qeshm Air as their General Sales Agent (GSA) but our role goes beyond sales – we offer marketing support, flight supervision, passenger services and ground handling solutions. Our experienced, multilingual team ensures high standards of service and maintains close coordination with airlines and local authorities, ensuring a seamless representation across all touchpoints.
To what do you attribute the company’s success so far?
Our success stems from a clearly defined strategy, our relentless focus on customer satisfaction and a commitment to operational efficiency. A major contributor has been our people – skilled, passionate professionals who align with our vision. We’re not afraid to take calculated risks and always prioritise long-term value creation over short-term gains.
What does the aviation company of the future look like and what is your strategy for leading Orthodoxou Aviation into that future?
The aviation company of the future will be digital, sustainable and highly adaptable. At Orthodoxou Aviation, we aim to embrace innovation and technology, enhance our airline collaborations and act as a strategic partner that delivers localised expertise and future-ready solutions. Our goal is to be a proactive leader in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
What is the main philosophy that has driven the company’s success over the past three decades?
Our core philosophy is based on a ‘customer-first’ mindset, attention to operational excellence and the ability to adapt to change. From our modest beginnings to our current footprint, trust, service quality and a forward-thinking approach have been our guiding principles.
As regional tensions in the Middle East continue, how does Orthodoxou Aviation manage risks while continuing to operate?
We closely monitor geopolitical developments and have implemented robust risk mitigation protocols. These include alternative routing, contingency planning and diversified partnerships to ensure continuity. Our proactive approach has allowed us to maintain service quality, even during periods of regional instability.
From AI and predictive maintenance to digital booking systems, technology is transforming aviation operations. Where do you see the greatest potential for disruption?
Digital transformation is a cornerstone of our growth strategy. We’ve invested in modern booking engines, CRM platforms and real-time support tools to deliver seamless, efficient services. We believe that the biggest disruptor will be predictive analytics combined with AI, which can redefine maintenance, safety and customer experience paradigms.
What does this 30-year milestone mean to the company?
It’s a source of pride and responsibility. Leading a company with such a legacy means honouring the past while courageously driving toward the future. It’s a reminder to lead with integrity, innovation and adaptability. We are deeply grateful for the trust and support of our clients and partners. Our message to them is one of continued commitment: to deliver value through innovation, expertise and a ‘people-first’ approach. Whether you are an airline seeking representation or a traveller in need of excellence, Orthodoxou Aviation is here to serve you with heart and vision.
(Photo by Michalis Kyprianou)
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This interview was first published in the July issue of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it
