Air Canada Resumes Seasonal Direct Services with Athens, Considering Year-round Flights

Air Canada Regional Manager Sales Greece Stefano Casaregola presenting the airline’s summer flight schedule for 2023.

Air Canada on Tuesday announced the resumption of non-stop seasonal flights between Greece and Canada and the return of daily services from Athens to Toronto and Montreal during the peak summer months.

Having launched in late March, the airline’s service in the Greek market between Athens and Montreal will operate until November 26. Moreover, flights between the Greek capital and Toronto will be offered until November 27.

Both services will operate up to daily during the summer peak, making Air Canada the airline to offer more flights from Greece to Canada than any other carrier.

Source: Air Canada

As highlighted by representatives of Canada’s flag carrier during a press conference in Athens, Air Canada will offer 800 seats per day during the May-October semester on its two routes to Montreal and Toronto.

“Our up to double daily flights during the summer peak will not only provide our customers in Greece with a direct link to Canada, but also allow convenient onward travel options across Canada and beyond, to destinations in our extensive network in North America,” said Air Canada Regional Manager Sales Greece Stefano Casaregola.

On the occasion of the resumption of flights between the Greek capital and Canada, Athens International Airport (AIA) Director of Communications & Marketing Ioanna Papadopoulou provided interesting facts showing the importance of the Canadian market for Greece.

Athens International Airport (AIA) Director of Communications & Marketing Ioanna Papadopoulou.

According to data, Canada is Athens’ 14th largest international market in direct, scheduled traffic with a 6 percent increase of passengers in 2022 compared to 2019 traffic and 10th in foreign arrivals with a 2 percent increase last year compared to pre-pandemic levels.

“Air Canada is a story of spectacular growth and development in the Athens market,” Papadopoulou said while informing that the airline’s traffic to the Greek capital grew more than five times from 2010 to 2022.

Source: AIA MIS & AIA PASSENGER Survey, Communications & Marketing (CMA)

Last year, passenger traffic reached some 260,000 passengers between Athens and Canada, surpassing 2019 levels especially from May-June onwards.

“This is the biggest figure we ever had from Air Canada and of course we have the potential to capture even bigger numbers if we have year-round flights,” AIA CEO Yiannis Paraschis said during the press conference.

Athens International Airport (AIA) CEO Yiannis Paraschis.

On her part, Papadopoulou said that Air Canada has made a “promising strong start” in 2023, connecting not only Athens to Canada but also connecting passengers from Greece to the West Coast as the airline is a vital player in the US market.

“We hope Air Canada will not need to resume flights next year but will have a direct 12-month year-round operation at our airport,” Papadopoulou said, echoing both AIA’s CEO as well as Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias who had also mentioned the importance of flights all year around between the two countries.

For years, Air Canada has been considering flying all year round to Athens but up until now it hasn’t come to fruition.

Greek Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias.

“This is an ongoing discussion with our Canadian friends… Canada is a very dynamic market, one developing very fast, so Air Canada has to be here on a year-round service,” Papadopoulou underlined.

Air Canada: We’re on the right path for year-round service

Highlighting that Air Canada has invested in the Greek market since 1989 and believes in the market, the airline’s regional manager for sales in Greece, Stefano Casaregola, said that there is clearly room for growth.

Air Canada Regional Manager Sales Greece Stefano Casaregola.

“The data shows our commitment to this market and I can tell you that bookings for this summer shows great demand for customers to Greece… This summer season sees an unprecedented demand and unprecedented number of travelers that will go through our network,” Casaregola said.

“This is the best indication for us to continue to invest in the Greek market and we will do so… Clearly, we are on the right path for year-round flights,” he concluded.

According to data, Canadians travel to Greece mainly for leisure (80 percent), while 18 percent travel to visit friends and relatives and one percent for business. The average length of a trip to Greece, which Canadians plan some 70 days prior to departure, is around 20 days.

Commenting on the lasting bonds between the two countries, the Ambassador of Canada to Greece, Anna-Karine Asselin, noted that Canada and Greece last year celebrated the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Ambassador of Canada to Greece, Anna-Karine Asselin.

“Air Canada has always been a traditional partner connecting the two nations,” she said while applauding the resumption of direct flights to Athens from Montreal and Toronto for the summer season.

“Travelers between our countries will continue to grow in numbers and I look forward to new and exciting routes and ties that will be forged thanks to the commitment and the vision of Air Canada,” the ambassador said.

During the press conference, journalists were also informed on the seamless journey guaranteed for Greeks when they travel to the US and connect in Canada with Air Canada.

Air Canada Business Development Manager Sapfo Triantari.

Customers departing from Greece are not required to collect their bags during the transit process and can pre-clear US Customs and Immigration in Montreal and Toronto.

“Air Canada’s network and schedule is built to connect its customers quickly to their final destination,” said Sapfo Triantari, the airline’s business development manager.

Air Canada is the largest foreign carrier in the US that has a transborder schedule to 51 American airports and operates up to 400 daily flights between the two countries.

Canada’s largest airline, Air Canada in 2019 was included among the top 20 largest airlines worldwide.

Goldair Airline Services is the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Air Canada in Greece and Cyprus.