London connects directly to Kos, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and, of course, beyond. BA returns to Crete (Heraklion) after almost three decades, with a very strong schedule, of four (4) flights per week.
We were not surprised reading the British company’s announcement regarding the flights program for 2015, especially the part concerning the six Hellenic islands, where flights begin. Therefore, London connects directly to Kos, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and, of course, beyond. BA returns to Crete (Heraklion) after almost three decades, with a very strong schedule, of four (4) flights per week.
The same goes with the beautiful goddess of the Ionian Sea, Corfu, with also four weekly flights.
The points that should be emphasized in order to understand the rationale of the British are the following:
a) The majority of the flights are set for the last three days of the week. That creates bridge- weekends.
b) It’s a direct blow to the charter companies and the LCC.
c) By making a clever maneuver, manages to avoid the expensive AIA and has cheaper inflexible costs.
d) The above results to offering cheaper fares, to both individual fliers and small Tour Operators.
e) At the same time having the discretion of seasonality, ie until the end of the tourist season.
Consequent to the above, reviewing the results of the market’s response, will allow the British to decide whether to fly directly again or not. It would be very smart move on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism to propose lengthening the season and giving small subsidies to the company for maintaining a 12-month flight schedule, even with fewer weekly flights.
So, in conclusion, British Airways will perform a multi-angle survey, but will also face some adventures, like the very harsh conditions in Heraklion. Few parking spaces on the track, traffic limit on slots, ground handling of passengers in endless queues and endless waiting.
What do you say, has the time finally come for a new airport in Kasteli?
In any case there will be issues with Corfu as well, since that airport has also practically reached its limits.
Let the leadership of the Ministry and the Deputy Minister fight for meaningful solutions. The promises are not enough. Actions count, in order for qualitative and quantitative turnarounds to occur for tourism in Hellas. The country immediately needs growth infrastructure through investments and a steady legislative framework, which will not change for at least ten years. Can such a National Tourism Strategy be realized at this point in time? It is extremely difficult. Since today we do not need politicians that think about their political career; What we need is professionals in the field of Tourism. In any case, not some University Professors.
EmmanuelA. 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.
