Air Canada has resumed its direct flights from Canada to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, making it the first North American airline to resume service to Greece after the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Canada’s Ambassador to Athens Mark Allen was at the Athens International Airport on Friday to welcome the crew and the first Canadian citizens arriving at the Greek capital after the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“A big day! Pleased to welcome the first direct flight of 2020 from Canada to Greece. Thanks to @ATH_airport and @AirCanada. Now passengers making essential trips between our two countries do not have to transit through others,” the Canadian ambassador tweeted.
The Canadian airline will provide twice weekly non-stop service from Montreal and Toronto. Canada was on the list of approved countries whose citizens were permitted to enter the European Union following the pandemic restrictions.
Greece opened its gates to international travellers on Wednesday. However, not to visitors from certain countries where there are large numbers of people infected by the new coronavirus such as the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom and others.
There is a health protocol for travellers to Greece. People arriving from the “safe” countries as of July 1st will have to fill out a passenger locator form (PLF) ahead of boarding the means of transport, while some of them will be tested upon arrival to the airport, port or land border-crossing.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
