Greece Extends Flight Ban for Seven Countries

The ban on flights between Greece and seven countries has been extended to protect public health from the further spread of the Covid-19.

According to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA):

– the ban on flights between Greece and Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands has been extended until May 31.

– the ban on flights between Greece and Albania, Northern Macedonia and Turkey has been extended until June 14.

The temporary suspension of flights from both countries excludes repatriation flights of Greek citizens, cargo flights, sanitary flights, humanitarian flights, return flights only with its crew (ferry flights), state flights, emergency flights, military flights (except to and from Turkey), Frontex flights, refueling flights and National Health System support flights.

Furthermore, the HCAA said that all arrivals/departures of international flights are allowed to take place only at Athens International Airport. The specific aviation directive is valid until May 31.

Greece’s borders still shut to non-EU citizens

The HCAA said that Greece’s borders will continue to remain temporarily closed to non-EU nationals until May 31.

Exempt from the measure are family members of European citizens, citizens of Schengen countries, health personnel, third-country nationals who have a long-term visa in a European country and a Schengen Diplomatic country, military, humanitarian personnel, aircraft crew and non-EU citizens that have a permit for their trip from the Greek Consulate.

It should be noted that the European Commission recently invited Schengen Member States and Schengen Associated States to extend the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU from third nations until June 15.