Russia and Greece are preparing to resume air traffic

Greece has prolonged the directive on the entry of Russian citizens from September 21 to October 5. Since September 7, the Greek authorities have allowed entry of up to 500 Russians per week, upon condition that they have a negative coronavirus test, confirmation of a hotel reservation and arrive at one of three airports - Athens, Thessaloniki or Heraklion (Crete).

According to the updated information of the Greek authorities, upon entering Greece, Russians will be re-tested for COVID-19. Travelers must stay at the place of temporary residence until the results of laboratory tests are issued.

According to Dimitris Haritidis, Managing Director of Tez Tour Greece, over the past two weeks since the opening of the Greek borders, "with a high degree of probability" the quota of travelers from the Russian Federation has not been fully achieved.

Meanwhile, tour operators report on the likelihood of resuming direct flights between Russia and Greece. Thus, according to Mr. Haritidis, the Russian authorities are considering the possibility of resuming limited number of flights to Greece from October 1 (up to two per week).

According to the expert, one flight on Moscow-Athens route on a parity basis will be operated by a Russian carrier, the other by a Greek one.

The fact that the restart of flights to Greece is possible from the beginning of October was also told by the general director of the tour operator Mouzenidis Travel Alexander Tsandekidi. “Indeed, there is preliminary information that the Russian authorities are ready to resume flights to Greece. The Russian side officially addressed such proposal to the Greek side. And perhaps the question will be resolved in the coming days,” said Mr. Tsandekidi.