![Russia is increasing its regular flights to Greece from June 10](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/aiport-russia-scaled.jpg)
Russia is stepping up regular flights to ten countries, including Greece, from June 10, and launching them to eight others, the Russian Coronavirus Operations Center told reporters last night.
According to the “RIA-Novosti” agency , flights to Athensςιλλ increase by two per week, in the context of reciprocity, in total, ie by four, while among the countries included in the flight expansion program are, beside Greece, another two tourist destinations for Russian tourists, Egypt and Qatar, with the addition of one flight per week to the respective capitals, Cairo and Doha.
Earlier, the Operations Center announced that the increase in flights to Turkey will remain “frozen” until June 21, while flights to Croatia, Morocco, Mauritius, Lebanon and Albania will resume to the full or partial “tourist destinations” status.
The tourist demand for Greece cannot be met
As the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) points out with its special reference to Greece, the fact of the increase of flights and the non-interruption of the issuance of entry visas by the Greek side is of course positive, however the demand and the existing pressure on the part of tourists cannot be covered with the existing number of flights between the two countries and “without flights to Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, and Thessaloniki de facto (Greece) will remain closed for mass tourism from Russia” .
Currently (and until June 10, when they are expected to increase) Russia and Greece are connected by direct air with four scheduled weekly flights to Athens, operated every Wednesday and Saturday by Aegean Airways and every Thursday and Saturday by Aeroflot. On Wednesday, the Russian company S7 flies to Thessaloniki with the special freight-passenger flight.
High ticket prices
Restriction of flights has pushed up ticket prices, according to ATOR, which estimates that many flights will be needed daily to meet growing demand, which is partly met by either Russian tourist flights to third countries or the use by the Russian Aeroflot of transatlantic aircraft, capable of carrying more than 300 passengers per flight.
ATP notes that the Greek side and its representatives have repeatedly stated recently that an increase in approved flights is expected and that the issue is being discussed between the two countries, while sources participating in the bilateral negotiations describe the fact that with permission from the competent Authorities of both countries start today so that Russian S7 will fly to Heraklion, Crete and every Friday to Rhodes. Indicative of the high interest of the Russian side for Greek destinations is the fact that, according to the same sources, Aeroflot has requested the approval of daily special flights to Heraklion and Athens and four times a week to Thessaloniki and is waiting for the relevant response of the CAA , while in total the Russian side has requested 42 weekly flights and the Greek side has requested 88.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/olp1-scaled-1-2048x1312-1-600x384.jpg)
Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues
This strategic shift has diminished Piraeus's standing as a prominent Mediterranean port and a key transshipment hub post-Suez Canal.
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4
![OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ergasiabusinness-768x556-1-1-600x434.jpeg)
OECD: Job Vacancies on the Rise in Greece
By the fourth quarter of 2023, job vacancies per unemployed person had risen by more than 4, with the index reaching 446 units compared to 100 units in late 2019