Olympic Air and Aegean to merge
Published: 23/02/2010 - Filed under: News »
Greek carriers Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines have announced plans to merge, in the same week that an air traffic control strike is set to disrupt flights to and from the country.
Subject to approval from the European Competition Commission, the two airlines will merge under the name Olympic Air. No timetable has yet been given for the merger, and it is unclear if the move will affect Aegean’s inauguration into Star Alliance, which is due to take place in June.
Olympic Air was itself formed from the privatisation of state carrier Olympic Airlines last year, while Aegean Airlines started scheduled passenger operation in 1999, and last year switched its UK flights from Stansted to Heathrow. According to Aegean the two carriers currently serve a total of 65 domestic and 41 international routes.
The move comes as the Greek Air Traffic Controllers Union is due to stage a 24-hour strike tomorrow (February 24). According to the Olympic Air website, all flights to and from Athens International airport will be cancelled bteween 0000 and 2359 tomorrow, while Aegean says that it has been forced to cancel all flights on its network. A number of changes have also been made to today’s schedules.
For more information visit olympicair.com, aegeanair.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
COMMENTS »
BusinessTraveller - 25/02/2010 17:07
UPDATE: A spokesperson for Aegean Airlines has confirmed that the merger will not affect the Star Alliance inauguration, due to take place in June.
ADD A COMMENT »
Accor launches anniversary loyalty offers 02/09/2010
Accor’s A Club loyalty scheme is celebrating its second anniversary, and to celebrate the hotel group is offering double miles, sign-up bonuses and the chance to win points worth €2,000 — full story »
Heathrow launches Travel Product Awards 02/09/2010
Heathrow airport has launched its annual awards celebrating the most popular travel accessories, and all those taking part in the voting stand the chance to win a selection of the winning products up to the value of £5,000 — full story »
Tried and tested: Tom's Kitchen at Somerset House 02/09/2010
Business Traveller samples the second of Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens’ Tom’s Kitchen eateries, located within London's Somerset House — full story »






