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Airlines Exclude Some Greek Islands from Flight Schedules

Already suffering a massive blow due to Covid-19, European airline companies appear to have excluded a number of Greek islands from their updated flight schedules, which according to analytics firm GlobalData could impact local economies reliant on tourism.

Greece is set to open to international travel on July 1 implementing strict health protocols and regulations after three months of lockdown measures and looking to cover lost ground during its main peak season.

At the same time, forced to reduce their services due to the coronavirus pandemic, airlines will not be serving certain islands – this way restricting access. This, says GlobalData, is bound to be damaging for local businesses in the retail, tourism and hospitality industries.

Photo Source: @Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos"

Photo Source: @Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”

“Major European airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair recently announced plans to resume flying schedules – but only less than half. This will result in some destinations being left out to concentrate on popular, profit-making routes,” said Rheanna Norris, associate analyst GlobalData.

At the same time, besides flights, ferry services also impacted by Covid-19 are operating on a 50 percent capacity limiting access to many of the remote islands.

Norris goes on to add that a number of Greek island destinations have gone from overtourism problems to “no tourism” problems.

“Alongside this, cruises are not currently sailing and stopping at any Greek islands, eradicating a number of daytime visitors and revenue streams in already affected industries. Cruises also provide inspiration for repeat trips, which ensure a continuous revenue stream that could be jeopardized if access to these islands is limited,” she concludes.

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  1. TREVOR MOORE Reply

    Does anyone know if as a UK passport holder I will be able to fly from Dublin to Athens on 12th July?

    • Katerina Andriopoulou Reply

      Starting tomorrow 1st of July all travelers coming to Greece need to fill this form: travel.gov.gr.
      You will receive a QR code that will be scanned upon your arrival.
      Your nationality has no bearing. You will need to inform the authorities about your recent travels (14 last days), your flight number, your itinerary and where you will be staying.
      Depending on your answers a test may apply uppon your arrival and you will need to self isolate for one day (until you get the results).

    • Katerina Andriopoulou Reply

      Dear Mr Moore as you may have heard already the flights from UK are still banned until the 15th of July. Flights from Ireland will be taking place. Since you are a Uk citizen and UK is still a member of the EU at least until the end of the year you will probably have no problem entering the country. But just to be on the safe side contact the Greek Embassy in Dublin and your airline.

    • Katerina Andriopoulou Reply

      Dear Mr Moore you have probably heard about Flights from UK to Greece being banned for another 15 days. Flights from Ireland will be happening as scheduled. Logically since you are a Uk citizen you will have no problem entering the country but maybe just to be on the safe side you should contact your airline and the Greek embassy in Dublin.

  2. Sandra Fawcett (UK) Reply

    I had already heard that Jet2.com has withdrawn from its services from the UK to Lesvos which is so sad for that beleaguered island. The airline is apparently making hundreds of airline pilots and crew redundant and will focus attention on only the busiest routes of Corfu, Rhodes, Crete, Kos etc.

    • Alisa Reply

      U can still fly thru Athens or Thessaloniki though) we just arrived to Lesvos yesterday from Cyprus straight with a private flight. On arrival wishing 10 minutes we went thru all the needed procedures including a PCR test which was free of charge

  3. Noel Spruce Reply

    Very encouraging news that Greek and British authorities are finalising an air corridor between the two countries, with Britain dropping the 14 day self-quarantining requirement for travellers upon their return to Britain.

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