Blue Bird Airways Launches Direct Winter Flights to Crete with Deep Discounts

Blue Bird Airways, the Greek airline owned by the Kavim Khofsha group, has announced a dramatic shift in its flight strategy, introducing direct winter flights to Crete alongside significant price drops.

New Winter Strategy and Price Cuts

While the company focused on launching seasonal summer routes to popular Mediterranean destinations in May, it is now offering an unprecedented move of direct winter flights to Crete. This strategy reflects a sharp drop in prices compared to the start of the summer season, signaling a new era for direct flights from Israel to the Greek islands during the cold season.

The most striking difference lies in the ticket price and vacation concept. In May 2026, the airline launched summer flights to Chania in Crete starting at 122 euros one-way, Kos at 128 euros, and Burgas at 111 euros. In contrast, the current autumn offering features a dramatic price plunge to just 65 euros one-way to Heraklion, Crete.

Packages and Weather Warnings

The deal includes weekend packages in five-star hotels starting at 299 euros per person, catering to tourists and the Israeli community on the island. Marketing manager Ilan Shalev clarified that tourism has become a 12-month-a-year activity. However, the news of discounted flights and urban getaways comes against the backdrop of complex climatic conditions on the island.

"Tourism has become a year-round activity," noted marketing manager Ilan Shalev regarding the strategic shift.

As recalled, Crete was recently battered by a prolonged storm that severely impacted Israelis during the Sukkot holiday peak. The storm brought hundreds of millimeters of rain, widespread flooding, road closures, and severe thunderstorm warnings. Heavy damage was reported to infrastructure and homes, and emergency services received hundreds of distress calls.

Currently, the weather in Crete remains highly volatile. The Greek Meteorological Service has warned of hazardous weather conditions, with massive rainfall creating a high risk of flooding and saturated soil. While a gradual weakening of the system is expected, rains in the Heraklion area are set to continue, serving as a vital reminder for Israeli travelers to prepare accordingly.