New Onephone Service From Olympic Airways

Olympic Airways has established a new phone line for nationwide reservations through the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization’s onephone service.

With the new line 0801-44444, travelers throughout the country pay the minimum charge for a local phone call and can book tickets or simply request information. Customers that call from mobile phones must still use the old number, 966-6666, as the new line can not be reached through mobile phone networks.

Meanwhile, the government appears to be proceeding with the sale of a majority stake in state-owned Olympic Airways after a meeting held with National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Transport Minister Christos Verelis and the financial adviser for Credit Suisse First Boston.

Credit Suisse informed the ministers on the progress of recent contacts with potential strategic investors. Mr. Papantoniou said talks with international firms had begun and that within weeks Credit Suisse will deliver proposals on the method, size of the stake and required legislative changes.

The government indicated that it wanted all domestic routes to be maintained as well as current staff wage levels.