Aviation

Airlines in Greece with scheduled flights said that they consider unjust the proposed new aviation tax to fund development in poor countries. “Certainly, we believe we must assist the world community of poorer fellow citizens, but with contributions from the overall community and not just one specific category of citizens,” said the Union of Greek Airline Representatives.

After spending about five years in safety Limbo, the Greek Civil Aviation Authority recently was upgraded to the first category in flight safety by the U.S. federal aviation authority.

A group of airports has formed the Registered Traveler Interoperability Consortium to develop standards that would allow each airport to sign up travelers and give passengers the same security privileges at different locations.

European airlines have launched an attack on new regulations that give passengers stronger rights to compensation for delays and cancellations.

Since its launch of direct flights from Athens, on 15 June 2005, Qatar Airways, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, continues it strong promotion campaign, all of which reminds of the golden days when airlines were the stars of the travel sector.

On the occasion of its second year of operation in Athens, Germanwings last month honoured the city by christening its new Airbus A320 “City of Athens.” Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis did the official christening.

Athens International Airport announced last month that full-year pretax profit in 2004 jumped 62.9 percent year-on-year to 47.1 million euros, boosted by the Summer Olympic Games and increased passenger traffic.

Qatar Airways last month introduced its new six times per week (every day except Saturday), non-stop service between its hub at Doha and Athens as of last month. The route is being operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in business class and 132 in economy.

Skyteam is to introduce a new class of membership in order to cater for carriers whose international ambitions are more restricted. At a press conference in Amsterdam called to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the alliance, Air Europa of Spain; Copa Airlines of Panama; Kenya Airways of Kenya; and Tarom of Romania were unveiled as the first airlines to join the nine-airline partnership under this new arrangement.

Greece’s first-ever air show will be held in September at the Tanagra air base north of Athens, the Ministry of Defense announced last month.