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EU countries must work together on flights and shipping, said Transport Minister Costas Karamanlis.
Mr. Karamanlis, in the context of the teleconference of the EU Ministers of Transport, stressed that it is necessary to take measures at European level to support airlines and shipping companies.
At the meeting, which lasted more than five hours, the interventions that should be made in the next period were discussed in order to restore transport, primarily flights – air routes.
Measuring measures: When do domestic flights start?
The Greek plan to lift the restrictive measures includes a first timetable for the restoration of domestic flights.
The measures of the airlines. In the face of a lack of common rules for air transport, more and more airlines are announcing measures to protect crews and passengers.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Swiss Air announced that it is proposing the use of a protective mask for all passengers from May 4 .
As the company emphasizes in its announcement, all the passengers of the company should have with them their own protective mask which will cover their mouth and nose. Swiss also encourages passengers to wear a mask at the airport before or after the flight, in case no appropriate social distance measures are applied.
Swiss has decided to follow the example of many European countries where the use of a mask is mandatory in public places. According to the company, the recommendation for the use of a mask will be valid until August 31.
US Airlines and United Airlines have announced that similar measures will be taken, according to which all crew members will have to wear masks during the flights.
The use of a mask for Delta Airlines crews is also mandatory, when it is not possible to observe social distance measures. The company has also reduced the fullness of the aircraft by 35%, leaving the middle seats empty, while boarding the aircraft and disembarking it by groups of 10 passengers.
What will happen to domestic flights and airport concession fees?
The ban on domestic flights is expected to continue at least until May 18, according to information. According to the same sources, the decision was taken with the criterion of public health protection, despite the fact that the Greek airlines had proposed to start the domestic routes earlier.
As for the airlines, the government is expected to take initiatives in the coming days to boost their liquidity.
Legislative regulation of the relevant Ministries of Finance and Infrastructure will enable the suspension of the payment of concession fees for 2019 to the Athens International Airport Company (AIA) managed by Athens Airport and Fraport Greece, to which 14 airports have been granted.
In a letter last month, Fraport Greece asked the Ministers of Finance, Infrastructure and Development and the HRDHR to suspend the payment of the contribution to the State and the concession fee for 2019, amounting to a total of 44 million euros.
According to information, the company paid the contribution to the State a few days ago, while the payment of the concession fee is expected to be made in September.
For more information in Greek click on source:- https://www.iefimerida.gr
