O'Brien’s assertions include, inter alia, the lack of proposals for the extension of the tourist season in the country. At the same time, he says that the imposition of new taxes upon the tourist product by the the current government, ignores the product per se, and aims to the “closing” of the assessment by Greece's lenders.
The interview of the eccentric Commercial Director and co-owner of the LCC Airline Company, that was published in the latest “VIMA of Sunday”, marks the beginning of a mega – war with the beautiful Deputy Minister of Tourism. Starting with the huge pressure his company is under, due to its growing fleet, at the same time he said many true things.
Tragic truths about the degradation of the hellenic tourism. The one that Helena Kountouras boasts that, along with the cruises, will reach 27.5. toursts this year, with disproportionately mismatched revenue of 15 billion euros.
O’Brien’s assertions include, inter alia, the lack of proposals for the extension of the tourist season in the country. At the same time, he says that the imposition of new taxes upon the tourist product by the the current government, ignores the product per se, and aims to the “closing” of the assessment by Greece’s lenders.
“We,” he mentions,”have submitted repetitive proposals with dozens of letters to the Deputy Minister, very few of which were answered, but to no avail.”
Particularly, when, in his most recent letter, dated 03.18.2016, he mentioned the beginning of flight cancellations that Ryanair will implement, starting with Kos, the Deputy Minister did not even reply, “because perhaps she was too busy with the exhibition in Miami.”
He said that he constantly calls for reduced fees and taxes, barring high season, and exemption for the small Airports.
Because he says “it is better to have passengers without taxes, than taxes without passengers.” Of course, even believes that many other airlines will accumulate their flights in July and August, whatever the adverse consequences.
He even abhors the sale of the 14 “Prime” Hellenic Airports to the German Fraport, which with only 1.23 billion euros as purchase price and a number of other low revenues for Hellas, will reap huge profits grabbing connectivity from companies such as Ryanair.
Of course, his hard commercial offensive against Fraport, also includes the pricing policy that this “so called” privatization will implement, being expensive for the Hellenic market, since the Germans would have a monopoly.
Besides, as he claimed “we saw the monopoly results in AIA, which is one of the most expensive airports in Europe and of course, instead of AIA receiving 18.0 mil. Passengers annually, when Ryanair only brings 2.5 million, being in the crossroad of many popular destinations.”
On the other hand, Dublin, with 1.0 million inhabitants receives 25m. passengers per year.
Besides, while his company represents 41% of the passenger traffic in Hellas during the first semester, the government is denying the opportunity to basically bring more than 10.0 mil. passengers over the next three years, in fear of offending their corporate friends. It is obvious who he means!
In summary, it is worth to underline that D. O’Brien will continue his hard fight with, according to his words, the “Marie Antoinette” of Hellas, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, and indirectly with the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Giorgos Stathakis.
And it is certain that it will gradually escalate, since “Marie Antoinette” actually knows her cake. Will the Deputy Minister remain in Office, or has the time come for the Government to “let her go” soon? Because we all know that the Almighty has always loved this country, and will hardly allow amateur experimenting with its fate by sorcerers’ apprentices.
Emmanuel A. Gyzis is managing partner of Emmanuel A. Gyzis & Associates Law Offices.
Emmanuel A. Gyzis is managing partner of Emmanuel A. Gyzis & Associates Law Offices.
He was born in Athens, Greece, 13 January 1947; admitted to Athens Bar Association 1974. Education: University of Athens, Law School (1972), London, (L.LM. 1980), specialized in Aviation Law and originally worked in the respective field on behalf of British Tour Operators and Charter companies.
With longstanding journalistic and writing activity, his articles have been published in financial newspapers and magazines specialized in Aviation and Tourism. Author of pioneering monographs on the development issues of Olympic Airways (1989), he has published during a course of many years, a series of articles regarding its viability, its position in the international environment, as well as for other private airlines in general, while at the same time he participated in relevant International and Greek Conferences and Organizations. Successful and long-term engagement with issues regarding private airports / heliports, Low Cost Carriers (LCC), Aircraft Fractional Ownership, Ground handling matters. At his law firm “EMM. GYZIS AND ASSOCIATES”, together with a group of specialized associates he deals mainly with aviation law issues (cooperation with construction companies for commercial aircraft and leasing companies) and tourism law issues, specializing in mass tourism from/ to Greece and occasionally cooperating with Tour Operators. Since 1993, he has founded a number of Greek and foreign airline companies, on behalf of his clients, in accordance with the applicable legal status. He has participated in committees for the drafting of legislation regarding air transport, such as private airports, the Presidential Decree for private heliports and the Basic Legislation of the Aviation Code and he is the General Secretary of the Hellenic Aviation Society. For many years, he has been studying emerging markets, as a consultant for foreign companies, which plan to invest worldwide.
LANGUAGES: English.
MEMBER: Athens Bar Association, International Bar Association, European Society of International Law (ESIL), American Society of International Law (ASIL), British-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Greek-American Union, Hellenic Aviation Society.
PRACTICE AREAS: Aviation Law, Aerospace Law, Tourism and Transport Law, (European) Commercial and Company Law. Arbitration. Establishment and Operation of foreign companies in Greece. Project Finance. Free Movement of Capital. Privatization. Foreign/ Hotel Investments. Mergers and Acquisitions.
