Air Travel Protocols and Guidelines for 2021 Must be Defined, Says CEO of AEGEAN

Photo source: AEGEAN

As a travel and tourism restart worldwide is expected to remain slow during 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important that the necessary protocols and guidelines for air travel are defined, according to AEGEAN CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis.

Speaking recently to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Gerogiannis revealed the Greek carrier’s plans for 2021 and highlighted that AEGEAN remains firmly committed to health-safe travel and supporting tourism, as the company did in 2020.

“In 2021, our goal is to win back our passengers, maintaining our commitment to provide high quality services, which will be enhanced with measures that we have taken to meet and exceed the health requirements,” AEGEAN’s CEO said.

AEGEAN CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis.

Referring to 2020, Gerogiannis said it was a “devastating year” for the Greek economy, tourism and AEGEAN, as during the first wave of the pandemic last March the company’s operations nearly ceased.

Coordination on travel protocols is essential

“The partial lifting of travel restrictions across Europe in July allowed the gradual resumption of international flights, but at a very low level of activity compared with 2019,” he said, pointing out that several countries were inaccessible, demand was weak due to the pandemic, and the lack of coordination on travel protocols severely affected the restart efforts.

AEGEAN’s CEO underlined that it is very important that the necessary protocols and guidelines for air travel are defined and agreed this year and the first phase of vaccinations progress quickly across Europe.

“Such measures will be essential in getting us out of the dire situation we have found ourselves in for the past year,” he said.

AEGEAN’s plans for 2021

Photo © GTP

AEGEAN’s plans for this year call for connecting an increased number of popular Greek island destinations with international destinations.

“This will have a key impact in supporting the Greek tourism sector,” Gerogiannis said, adding that against the catastrophic impact of the pandemic in aviation, AEGEAN will continue efforts to improve its service offering to customers, improve its competitiveness, and keep contributing to the Greek economy.

“As always, we will make every possible effort to keep Aegean among the most resilient carriers in Europe,” he said.

Plans of AEGEAN also include promoting Greece to various markets in Europe this year through a renewed cooperation with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO).