Two Greek universities are joining forces to establish an innovative English-language Master’s Degree Program, the first in Greece specializing in air transport management. The MBA in Air Transport Management (MATBA) has been created by the Department of Tourism Economics and Management of the University of the Aegean and the Department of Civil Engineering of the Democritus University of Thrace, with strategic partners the Athens International Airport and the international Non-Governmental Organization Hermes – Air Transport Organisation, based in Montreal, Canada.
The program’s goal is to develop specialized professionals in air transport through the acquisition of theoretical and applied knowledge and the cultivation of strategic skills. Graduates of MATBA can work as executives in air transport companies and organizations in Greece and abroad, as strategic planning and policy officers in national and international organizations, as well as researchers in air transport-related fields.
International Advisory Board from the Air Transport Sector
MATBA involves 23 instructors (13 male and 10 female) from 8 countries (Greece, Cyprus, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Canada) and 13 institutions. The program is supported by an international external advisory board composed of prominent figures from across the air transport ecosystem.
The program lasts 1.5 years and awards 90 ECTS credits. At the beginning of the first semester, students attend one week of in-person teaching on the island of Chios (1–5 February 2026 for the current academic year). Thereafter, the program is delivered online through synchronous classes via Zoom and asynchronous learning via the Moodle platform, where educational material is posted. During the first semester, the curriculum is common; in the second, students must choose one of three specializations: Airports, Airlines, or Air Navigation Service Providers (Air Traffic Control). In the third semester, students complete a Master’s Thesis (MBA Thesis).
The new MBA in Air Transport Management (MATBA) was presented by Professor Andreas Papatheodorou, Chair of the Department of Tourism Economics and Management at the University of the Aegean and Director of MATBA. As Professor Papatheodorou stated, “This is an innovative English-language postgraduate program at the MBA level—the first postgraduate program in Greece (out of approximately 1,500 programs) in the field of air transport management. The collaborating departments are the Department of Tourism Economics and Management of the University of the Aegean (as the lead institution) and the Department of Civil Engineering of the Democritus University of Thrace, while strategic partners include the Athens International Airport and the international NGO Hermes – Air Transport Organisation. These partnerships demonstrate the program’s direct connection with the market in a field that bridges disciplines, reduces geographical isolation, and enhances extroversion and internationalization.”
A Reference Point in Air Transport Education
Professor Stylianos Xanthopoulos, Vice Rector for Administrative and Academic Affairs at the University of the Aegean, stated: “With MATBA—the first MBA in Air Transport Management in Greece—the country gains a reference point for the education of air transport executives. The University of the Aegean confirms its international orientation and innovative spirit in postgraduate education by creating this globally competitive program in collaboration with the Democritus University of Thrace and with the strong support of leading institutions such as the Athens International Airport, combining academic excellence, research foundation, and practical value.”
Associate Professor Petros Kavasalis, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at the University of the Aegean, said: “The University of the Aegean has long collaborated with the Greek and international aviation industry. The new MBA in Air Transport Management is precisely the product of this long-standing partnership. At the same time, the University leads research in this field, as evidenced by relevant publications and conferences it organizes and participates in. Furthermore, we actively participate in major European large-scale pilot projects that develop the digitization of travel and related documents (DTC, boarding passes, invoices, etc.) at the European level and beyond, in conjunction with the new European Digital Identity to be introduced soon by the European Commission and EU Member States.”
Professor Vasilis Profyllidis of the Department of Civil Engineering at the Democritus University of Thrace emphasized the program’s characteristics: “It represents the joining of forces of nearly all Greek academics engaged in aviation studies, along with several distinguished European colleagues. It is oriented toward labor market needs, allows differentiation of the aviation market to address the needs of each specific segment, utilizes the high scientific value and extensive experience of its instructors, and will serve as a field of continuous interaction between faculty and postgraduate researchers. The raison d’?tre of the program is to bring specialized knowledge together with the needs of the industry.”
Target Audience
The program is aimed at executives from airports, airlines, tourism, ministries, as well as graduates of economics, engineering, and tourism schools who are interested in pursuing a career in the aviation sector. Its geographic scope extends beyond Greece and neighboring countries to include the Middle East, North Africa, Central Europe, and potentially the rest of the world.
The online format of the program makes it compatible with the professional obligations of postgraduate researchers.
Dr. Yiannis Paraschis, CEO of Athens International Airport, stated: “Athens International Airport consistently places investment in knowledge, young people, and the development of the air transport sector at the core of its strategy. The establishment of the first English-language MBA in Air Transport Management in Greece represents a significant and necessary step toward shaping the next generation of leading professionals with an international perspective and strong contribution to human capital development in the sector. Fully aware of our broader role for the economy and society, we participate as strategic partners in this initiative that connects academic knowledge with the real needs of the air transport market.”
Dr. Kostas Iatrou, Director General of Hermes – Air Transport Organisation, added: “MATBA aspires to shape the next generation of air transport leaders by providing a blend of academic knowledge and practical experience. Throughout the program, distinguished figures from the air transport industry will deliver lectures, sharing valuable insights and real-world expertise with participants.”
