A much-anticipated air link connecting Greece with China has not only materialized in recent years, it is now expanding. In early March, Air China said it would be scheduling five flights a week between Beijing and Athens, up from three flights a week previously.
The new schedule commences in April 2024, and means a 128% increase in the seats available from the specific carrier on a weekly basis.
In addition, another Chinese carrier, Juneyao Airlines, will begin a route connecting Shanghai to Athens on April 2, with three flights a week announced.
The air connections from the populous Far East nation are welcome news for the tourism sector in Greece, as tens of millions of Chinese holidaymakers take vacations abroad every year.
“The Chinese market has rebounded by 90% compared to (pre-pandemic) 2019, and we are ‘well-placed’ for 2024,” notes Ioanna Papadopoulou, director of communications and marketing at Athens International Airport. She spoke during an event in the Greek capital at which the new Air China routes were unveiled.
