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”

“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.