4th Primary School of Glyfada, Athens, Greece

European Comenius Program 2012-2014

“THE HISTORY OF THE GREEK AVIATION”

A group work of students supervised

by :• Dr. Kosmas Vlachos, Principal of the

school• Kalliopi Gkeka, Assistant Principal

and Teacher of the School

Greek aviation began in 1911 when the Ministry of Military requested applications from officers to be trained in aviation.

In 1911 the Greek Government appointed French specialists to form the Hellenic Aviation Service.

The inspirers of the Hellenic Air Force, Eleftherios Venizelos and Alexandros Zannas.

Four officers were selected and trained in France while the first military aircraft was ordered from the French firm, Farman.

The first civilian Greek aviator was Emmanuel Argyropoulos, who flew on February 8, 1912.

Dimitrios Kamberos was the first military aviator in Greek history. 13 May 1912

In June, D. Kamberos flew with the "Daedalus", an  aircraft that had been converted into a  Seaplane, setting the foundations of Naval Aviation.

Officer Moutousis in flight (1912)

First flight facilities 1918

Hellenic military airplane, during the first Balkan War

Greek military aviators participated in many wars, including World Wars I, II and Korea.

Today, the Hellenic Armed Forces, are equipped with the most technologically advanced aircraft.

Greek Air Transport

Icarus, the first airline, was established in 1930.

In 1939 the first Hellenic aviation company connected several Greek cities.

In the post-World War II era, there were three airlines operating in Greece.

In 1951, the Greek government forced the merger of all three companies into TAE Greek National Airlines.

The first stewardess uniform 1952

Olympic Airways was created, incorporating all the previous civil aviation companies in 1957. The airline was sold to Aristotle Onassis. 

In 1975, ownership of Olympic Airways passed from Aristotles Onassis to the Hellenic

government. 

On 29 September 2009 Olympic Airlines ceased all operations and most flights. 

Aegean Airlines was founded as Aegean Aviation in 1987.

Nowadays Aegean is the largest Greek airline.

Several private commercial airline/air transport companies are based in Greece and continue to operate and expand, making the field a competitive market place. 

Hellenic Aerospace Industry

The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) was founded in 1975 and today ranks among the largest and most advanced aircraft and engine support centers in Europe, with more than 130 business cooperation with a wide range of global customers. 

We all live under the same sky, which connects us and helps us approach each other and create strong bonds…

THE END