I'm wondering what did happen with Olympic Airways, after in Octobre 2006 the service should be finished, cos the EU wants arrears of 540mio Euro back, former subsidy of the greek government. Now i see Olympic is still in service, what happend or what will happen? Was OA sold or anything like that?

Fotos or other infos are also welcomed!

Discussion on Olympic Airlines is in http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=262885 (AThens International Airport facts and figures) along with other aviation and airport related discussion.

Anyway, latest news is that in December 2006, Olympic won a ruling in the Greek courts for Greece to pay Olympic 564 million Euro it owed them on legally subsidized routes to Greek islands and costs of the relocation to the new airport. The money would be used to pay back the 700 million Euro fine imposed against them by the EU.

Well apparently OA did use it for that, because in September 2007, OA won legal battle with EU Regulators. They proved that the Commission failed to prove that some of the funds violated EU state aid rules. So their new fine is 130 million Euro, down from 160 million Euro.

The same day, Olympic Investors, the Greek-American consortium that was interested in buying Olympic in 2005 and was close to a deal before it fell through, stated re-newed interest in buying OA. They said that the previous sale fell through because of the fine. They said that they are confident EU penalties will be resolved and that the Greek Government will move quick to privatize OA after the elections. (which already happened)

Now, there was also news by the Greek transport minister I think that they are battling the EU to get the fine lower. He also stated that they plan to sell OA Dept Free soon. So 130 million euro to go....

Also as you can see their website has been re-designed and they have also moved to E-Tickets. (no more paper tickets). They already got online check in for a while now, and news is that self check-in kiosks will be installed in Athens shortly. OA seems to be doing some stuff behind the scenes.

Hope all this information helped. Also its Olympic Airlines not Olympic Airways. :nuts:

Man the new website is a joke, it looks like it was designed by a 10 year old.
I am 100% certain that I could have designed it better!!

But anyway, I hope Olympic can survive...its the best livery in the sky!

They still serve hot food on European flights... that counts for a lot in my book. Most other European airlines only serve 'snacks' on flights within Europe.

The last three flights I've had with Olympic have actually been OK, it must be said.

^^ I also like Olympiaki. I am always satisfied with the service, food and lately no-delays.
(my worst is easyjet).

But this is not the argument. Olympiaki doesn't offer worse services in comparison with other airlines. The question is who pays the bill. And I consider it a mismanagement when the whole populace of Greece pays for my food, or relatively cheap ticket, to support an excessive personnel and the rigid bureaucratic structure of the company that fails to adapt.

Discussion on Olympic Airlines is in http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=262885 (AThens International Airport facts and figures) along with other aviation and airport related discussion.

Anyway, latest news is that in December 2006, Olympic won a ruling in the Greek courts for Greece to pay Olympic 564 million Euro it owed them on legally subsidized routes to Greek islands and costs of the relocation to the new airport. The money would be used to pay back the 700 million Euro fine imposed against them by the EU.

Well apparently OA did use it for that, because in September 2007, OA won legal battle with EU Regulators. They proved that the Commission failed to prove that some of the funds violated EU state aid rules. So their new fine is 130 million Euro, down from 160 million Euro.

The same day, Olympic Investors, the Greek-American consortium that was interested in buying Olympic in 2005 and was close to a deal before it fell through, stated re-newed interest in buying OA. They said that the previous sale fell through because of the fine. They said that they are confident EU penalties will be resolved and that the Greek Government will move quick to privatize OA after the elections. (which already happened)

Now, there was also news by the Greek transport minister I think that they are battling the EU to get the fine lower. He also stated that they plan to sell OA Dept Free soon. So 130 million euro to go....

Also as you can see their website has been re-designed and they have also moved to E-Tickets. (no more paper tickets). They already got online check in for a while now, and news is that self check-in kiosks will be installed in Athens shortly. OA seems to be doing some stuff behind the scenes.

Hope all this information helped. Also its Olympic Airlines not Olympic Airways. :nuts:

yeah thanks, the infos are helpful.

In greek it's olympiaki aerolimanos, ok olympic airlines is the translation, but everywhere there is written Olympic Airways, somewhere it's Olympic Airlines/Airways...it's a stupied thing!

Actually Olympic airlines is a different company than the Olympic airways, it was reestablished in one of those attempts to clear the company, failed obviously though.

Actually Olympic airlines is a different company than the Olympic airways, it was reestablished in one of those attempts to clear the company, failed obviously though.

Yep. Olympic Airlines is a "new" company that started in 2003 I think, to start a "debt free" new airline. The EU didnt buy it, and said they still have Olympic Airways fines.

Man the new website is a joke, it looks like it was designed by a 10 year old.
I am 100% certain that I could have designed it better!!

But anyway, I hope Olympic can survive...its the best livery in the sky!

Yeah. You think that they could get a better website designer. Even the Greek singers have better websites than Olympic. It's a joke. But atleast it features new booking features. But strangely, every time I've tried to book the lowest price, although it shows its available, when I click next it says "fare not available". :bash:

I checked the new website too and it didn't look that different to me, could of been done better! But I have to say that overall I didn't mind flying with Olympic. Have had some better experiences with them as opposed to some other more established carriers like Delta for example.

I really like Aegean Airlines. Always on time, hot flight attendants (I mean, these women were super models!), and very clean airplanes.

Aegean is growing rapidly and offers flights to other euro cities as well.

I've never flown with Olympic in their bad days (1990s). My experiences with Olympic (2000s) are very good. It's a very good airline; the staff is friendly; just an overall very pleasant experience. I'm just not a fan of the livery! (sorry!)

and I really hate the name "Olympic" for a Greek company. It's too cliché. :tongue2:

Yep I've flighted with Aegean Airlines to France, that was some years ago, the service was very good, don't know if they still have that destination. I've been using Aegean Airlines pretty often.

Yep. Olympic Airlines is a "new" company that started in 2003 I think, to start a "debt free" new airline. The EU didnt buy it, and said they still have Olympic Airways fines.


^^:lol::lol::lol:

I have to add this testimony of mine, I used OA in the beginning of October for a roundtrip to Paris because I could not find convienient last-minute tickets from Air France and I must confess the service was impeccable! I had not flown OA for some years and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Plus, they had the best filter coffee I 've had with any other airline (and I've flown a couple!).

and I really hate the name "Olympic" for a Greek company. It's too cliché. :tongue2:[/QUOTE]

Skyduster, I think the greek state is one of the only nations still allowed to use the "Olympic" reference. So why would we give it up ? Once we have forfeited our right to use the "Olympic" name, we are unlikely to get another chance.

I remember during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the IOC wrote to all greek shop keepers on main roads close to Olympic venues, asking them to remove all signage references that contained the word "Olympic". As you could imagine this edict did not go down too well, but in the end was quietly ignored by Local Australian Olympic officials.

I definitely support the retention of the "Olympic" reference in any new company name....what would poor old Ari Onassis think ?

Skyduster, I think the greek state is one of the only nations still allowed to use the "Olympic" reference. So why would we give it up ? Once we have forfeited our right to use the "Olympic" name, we are unlikely to get another chance.

I remember during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the IOC wrote to all greek shop keepers on main roads close to Olympic venues, asking them to remove all signage references that contained the word "Olympic". As you could imagine this edict did not go down too well, but in the end was quietly ignored by Local Australian Olympic officials.

I definitely support the retention of the "Olympic" reference in any new company name....what would poor old Ari Onassis think ?

Well if Olympic Investors buy the airline, they will keep the name (obviously). :cheers:

In a recent article about the growth potential Olympic has, (by the pilot Union head), he said that "We would welcome private owners if their plan is focused on growth and continue flying to five continents,". Looks like the workers tone has changed. Maybe they finally see Olympic cant be ran as it is today. Olympic Investors said they plan to start new long haul destinations and order new planes if they buy Olympic....we will see.:nuts:

NickyF,

I knew my opinion on OA's name wouldn't be popular. In Chicago, where I currently live, a lot of Greek expat businesses use the name "Olympic" or other references to mythology, and I feel that this has become incredibly cliché....it's as if our history/culture/civilization has nothing else to be proud of. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I don't think that such names create a good brand image. The name "Olympic" as well as OA's 6-rings logo (too reminiscent of the Olympic Games logo) just seem too....well....too cliché and too amateur-ish. Everyone knows that the Olympic Games started in ancient Greece, and that Olympia and Mt Olympus are both in Greece....but there's a lot more to Greece! Whatever airline replaces OA, I strongly feel that a much simpler name like, maybe, "aeroellas" would be cooler, more up-to-date, and more "professional". I remember reading a while back that they were considering rebranding OA as "Pantheon Airways". OMG! that would be even worse than "Olympic"! I don't care what Onassis named the airline after he bought it from the Greek State. When the airline was originally created in the 1950s (by merging OA's three ancestor airlines), it was originally called "Αεροπορικαί Μεταφοραί Ελλάδος". Nice, simple, professional name. Today, I think that it should be something similar, but shortened. Like "aeroellas" (a name I came up with, inspired by "aeroméxico") or something similar; it would be a stronger name, IMO, establishing Greece's presence in the world. But if we insist on keeping a name that references myhtology, we can at least find a mythological name that is transport-related.

I think that references to history rarely ever create a powerful brand image. The only successful airline I can think of right now whose name has a reference to history is Lufthansa. Unfortunately, I don't feel that "Olympic Airlines" along with the 6-rongs logo can pull this off. It would be as if they started an American carrier called "Plymouth Rock Airways" or "Puritan Airlines"; or a British carrier called "Air Stonehenge". Such names don't carry the powerful brand image that simpler names like "United" or "American" or "British Airways" do.

NickyF,

I knew my opinion on OA's name wouldn't be popular. In Chicago, where I currently live, a lot of Greek expat businesses use the name "Olympic" or other references to mythology, and I feel that this has become incredibly cliché....it's as if our history/culture/civilization has nothing else to be proud of. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I don't think that such names create a good brand image. The name "Olympic" as well as OA's 6-rings logo (too reminiscent of the Olympic Games logo) just seem too....well....too cliché and too amateur-ish. Everyone knows that the Olympic Games started in ancient Greece, and that Olympia and Mt Olympus are both in Greece....but there's a lot more to Greece! Whatever airline replaces OA, I strongly feel that a much simpler name like, maybe, "aeroellas" would be cooler, more up-to-date, and more "professional". I remember reading a while back that they were considring rebranding OA as "Pantheon Airways". OMG! that would be even worse than "Olympic"! I don't care what Onassis named the airline after he bought it from the Greek State. When the airline was originally created in the 1950s (by merging OA's three ancestor airlines), it was originally called "Αεροπορικαί Μεταφοραί Ελλάδος". Nice, simple, professional name. Today, I think that it should be something similar, but shortened. Like "aeroellas" (a name I came up with, inspired by "aeroméxico") or something similar; it would be a stronger name, IMO, establishing Greece's presence in the world. But if we insist on keeping a name that references myhtology, we can at least find a mythological name that is transport-related.

I think that references to history rarely ever create a powerful brand image. The only successful airline I can think of right now whose name has a reference to history is Lufthansa. Unfortunately, I don't feel that "Olympic Airlines" along with the 6-rongs logo can pull this off. It would be as if they started an American carrier called "Plymouth Rock Airways" or "Puritan Airlines"; or a British carrier called "Air Stonehenge". Such names don't carry the powerful brand image that simpler names like "United" or "American" or "British Airways" do.

When I'll own an airline its name is going to be Byzantine Airlines or Palaiologos Airlines. While its intercity shuttle service something like Bulgaroktonos Express (I'm sure it will be really popular in Bulgaria with lots of customers from that country) :D

When I'll own an airline its name is going to be Byzantine Airlines or Palaiologos Airlines. While its intercity shuttle service something like Bulgaroktonos Express (I'm sure it will be really popular in Bulgaria with lots of customers from that country) :D

:lol:

I try not to fly with Olympic becase of some bad experiences with missed connections due to late flights.
But I LOVE AEGEAN. It's my favorite, I can actually be happy about getting on a plane with them, they are usually on time, the planes are new, and the attendants are really great. So friendly and attractive.
Sometimes you find great prices like 29 euros!

When I'll own an airline its name is going to be Byzantine Airlines or Palaiologos Airlines. While its intercity shuttle service something like Bulgaroktonos Express (I'm sure it will be really popular in Bulgaria with lots of customers from that country) :D

Sounds like a great idea! Maybe I should start Puritan Airlines, here in the US. The intercity shuttle service will be called "Scarlet Letter Express". All flights are non-smoking, and witchcraft is strictly prohibited for the entire duration of the flight.

I try not to fly with Olympic becase of some bad experiences with missed connections due to late flights.
But I LOVE AEGEAN. It's my favorite, I can actually be happy about getting on a plane with them, they are usually on time, the planes are new, and the attendants are really great. So friendly and attractive.
Sometimes you find great prices like 29 euros!

There is a downside to Aegean...when an airline only hires flight attendants who are A.) female, B.) young, C.) look like models, and D.) use too much make-up...it doesn't give the airline a professional image. Aegean has so much going for it, but they've ruined it with their FA hiring policy. Unless things have changed since I last flew with them?

Olympic's management made some blunders over the years, no question. But lets not forget they were forced to support unprofitable routes to the many Greek islands by the government. Government kept getting deeper and deeper into OA's business and there you are. Probably made Olympic hire the nephew's and nieces of top Government leaders, following Greek patronage practice.

Skyduster, I don't think it is true that Aegean only hires females to be attendants, I remember having a male attendant before on that airline.

Seems like we got some news on the issue, good news i would say.

Αραβικά κεφάλαια ενδιαφέρονται για την Ολυμπιακή
* Η Qatar Airways έχει εκδηλώσει επισήμως το ενδιαφέρον της και αναθέτει σε συμβούλους να μελετήσουν τις δυνατότητες εξαγοράς

Rest of the article here (http://tovima.dolnet.gr/print_article.php?e=B&f=15201&m=D04&aa=1)

Seems like the Arabs are going to take over Greece, their money are endless and we saw what MIG is capable to do, but thats just a sample i believe, more Arab investments are coming.

Skyduster, I don't think it is true that Aegean only hires females to be attendants, I remember having a male attendant before on that airline.

Oh, ok. It's just that the impression I get from the airline, from flying with them, and from hearing about other people's experiences...great airline, but....

Seems like we got some news on the issue, good news i would say.

Αραβικά κεφάλαια ενδιαφέρονται για την Ολυμπιακή
* Η Qatar Airways έχει εκδηλώσει επισήμως το ενδιαφέρον της και αναθέτει σε συμβούλους να μελετήσουν τις δυνατότητες εξαγοράς

Rest of the article here (http://tovima.dolnet.gr/print_article.php?e=B&f=15201&m=D04&aa=1)

Seems like the Arabs are going to take over Greece, their money are endless and we saw what MIG is capable to do, but thats just a sample i believe, more Arab investments are coming.

Hmm....They are a good airline I have heard, with a ton of new planes on order (over 100), but the thought of Arabs owning Olympic will prob. send "shock waves" in Greece. And they could just want the airline because of the new Open Sky's deal with the US and Europe. Will they really focus on domestic Greece? :bash:

I am afraid though that in order for OA not to be prone to any vulnerability, and thus become the object of potential hostile takeovers, they must, along with the aid of the Greek State, to clean up their own mess. I wouldn't expect any state-owned airline that plays such a strategic role to be inattentive to the society's needs it is supposed to serve and thus to cut down on financially unviable routes. This is totally opposite though to the image that OA presents nowadays where overheads and other operating expenses have hit the roof.

Every restructuring programme may be painful. However, the OA issue needs to be properly addressed by all parties involved. Of course it may not entirely be the employees fault that OA is in such a bad state, since the state itself used this airline as a means for pleasing voters in various ways and thus overdebted the airline. On the other hand, the employees have to understand though that the bad financial state of their company may affect their job security and their employment status. Otherwise, it may look like a hubris to the rest of the people employed in Greece, especially in the private sector who ar at a constant risk for losing their jobs for much minor causes.

...and no, I don't want any non-hellenic hand to buy this airline. This does not mean though that investors, Hellenes or not, are so stupid to be expected to invest in this black hole without any control over the strategy or the management of the company.

Hmm....They are a good airline I have heard, with a ton of new planes on order (over 100), but the thought of Arabs owning Olympic will prob. send "shock waves" in Greece. And they could just want the airline because of the new Open Sky's deal with the US and Europe. Will they really focus on domestic Greece? :bash:



Don't worry they have already bought two banks (Egnatia, Laiki, now Marfin), the largest food company (Vivartia), the largest ferry comany (Superfast Ferries), the largest private hospital (Ygeia), and they are at 14% of OTE.


And to answer to the question of social needs. If there are certain routes that need permanent aircraft flights, then the government can proclaim auctions where each of the private companies bids to serve those destinations. The best and cheapest offer takes the bid. But, be very careful this should never be an oligopoly (like in sea ferries), but open to every bid, even from Turkey let's say. Well ok, at least open to EU members by definition.


Let me say something on this matter. The routes that are characterized "unproductive" (άγονες), are such depending on the aircraft that serves them. So, for an A380, almost all are άγονες. For B747, as well. But, when the seaplanes, www.airsealines.com, decided to connect islands in the "unproductive" routes, Olympic airlines started to cry and took them to trial. Of course, the OA lost. It was a ridiculous claim. That, which is considered unproductive for a tri-axle truck, might be profitable for a cinquecento.


(P.S. The airsealines weren't asking for any subsidies, they were just offering a service to those people willing to pay)

I love this:

http://www.airsealines.com/gallery/img/ASL_flight_1000.jpg

Well lets see what happens. Greece say they will get the fines taken away or pay them, to sell the airline debt free. Olympic Investors is def. interested and seems the most likely to get the airline as of now, but now we have Qatar Airways stepping into the picture. Let's see how this will go. In the coming months, I expect we will hear something....

but the thought of Arabs owning Olympic will prob. send "shock waves" in Greece.

When the alternative is the airline going bankrupt, I'm sure the employees would rather work for the Arabs or anyone else. This is the world in the 21st Century-get used to it. Capital flows in all directions.

When the alternative is the airline going bankrupt, I'm sure the employees would rather work for the Arabs or anyone else. This is the world in the 21st Century-get used to it. Capital flows in all directions.

Im not talking about the workers, but the general public. Greek Media LOVE to make a big deal out of anything......We can say that this is the 21st century and get used to it, but I will be that most people do not see it like that in Greece

I don't see anyone complaining about OTE though, they may not owning the company yet, but if they wished to they would have done it already.

^^Exactly.
Don't worry. When the money flows, nobody complains. And this outcry for Olympic airways is artificial. Do you think any of the Greeks, except for the employees themselves, or some members of PAME, are going to the streets if the company closes?

Delta belongs to the Arabs
Chipita belongs to the Arabs
Goody's belongs to the Arabs
Barba-Stathis belongs to the Arabs.
Super Fast ferries belongs to the Arabs.
Ygeia belongs to the Arabs.
Marfin belongs to the Arabs (the investment bank through which the acquisitions are made)

Does anybody complain? The newspapers are running almost everyday stories about this acquisitions. I haven't seen anything but positive reviews, or criticisms on the enterpreneurship side of the deal, not the national pride or anything similar.

P.S. Greek Media, my friend, are not idiots. They make a fuss out of nothing when it is in the interests of their holders. Usually, the most powerful companies of Greece. Don't think a second that they don't know what they are doing. (Bobolas, Vardinogiannis, Labrakis, Kontominas, Kourhs, Alafouzos, Aggelopouloi, Kyriakou control the largest Media Corporations. Their large profits though don't come from these operations, don't you wonder why?)

^^Exactly.
Don't worry. When the money flows, nobody complains. And this outcry for Olympic airways is artificial. Do you think any of the Greeks, except for the employees themselves, or some members of PAME, are going to the streets if the company closes?

Delta belongs to the Arabs
Chipita belongs to the Arabs
Goody's belongs to the Arabs
Barba-Stathis belongs to the Arabs.
Super Fast ferries belongs to the Arabs.
Ygeia belongs to the Arabs.
Marfin belongs to the Arabs (the investment bank through which the acquisitions are made)



I don't have anything against Arabs from the UAE buying OA (it would probably make OA an amazing airline like Emirates)...but I think you're exaggerting that Arabs "own" these companies. I looked it up, and Dubai-based investors only own about a third of Marfin Investments, which is still mostly owned by Greeks (and in turn, Marfin owns a majority stake in Goody's). It seems to me that Arabs only own minority stakes in these Greek companies.

^^Exactly.
Don't worry. When the money flows, nobody complains. And this outcry for Olympic airways is artificial. Do you think any of the Greeks, except for the employees themselves, or some members of PAME, are going to the streets if the company closes?

Delta belongs to the Arabs
Chipita belongs to the Arabs
Goody's belongs to the Arabs
Barba-Stathis belongs to the Arabs.
Super Fast ferries belongs to the Arabs.
Ygeia belongs to the Arabs.
Marfin belongs to the Arabs (the investment bank through which the acquisitions are made)


Let's make a little correction here:

It doesn't belong to the arabs as you mentioned.

Delta, Chipita, Goody's, Barba-Stathis and Flocafe are all part of Vivartia, a huge nutrition conglomerate brand which btw is the 35th largest European company and it's led by Dimitris Daskalopoulos. The major shareholder was the Daskalopoulos Family until a 76.89% share was sold to the Marfin Investment Group.

On the other hand, the Marfin Investment Group was created in 1998 as Marfin Α.Ε.Π.Ε.Υ It has taken over several companies and has changed name several times since. Its shares are currently listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. In 2006 the Dubai Investment Group bought a 35% stake in the company (just a 35%). The headquarters of the company are located in Athens.

And still all the above mentioned have their headquarters in Greece, plus they're managed by Greeks as well as most of the share stakes are in hands of Greek investors, Greek companies and Greek investment groups.

So that belongs to the Arabs phrase is an urban legend.

:)

^^First of all, I really congratulate you that you have searched this information and you didn't accept it as is.

The main group that controls all the investments is called MARFIN INVESTMENT GROUP (http://www.marfininvestmentgroup.com/)

The Dubai Investment group (http://www.dubaigroup.com/) owns a controlling 35% of MARFIN. This group is owned by the government of Dubai and it is not private (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the Ruler of Dubai holds 99.67% of the company.).

The chairman and many members of the board are Arabs. The vice chairman-Vgenopoulos is Greek.

This percentage has fully controlling power and is actually huge for a bank (check if you have time the largest shareholders of other Banks, Greek or otherwise). Marfin is an Arab scheme and not a Greek one. There wouldn't be any of this frenzy acquisitions and merges if it wasn't for the Arabic capital. And this is partly the reason that the Greeks have shares as well (though many and scattered). They are the old stockholders of the companies that merged with Marfin. Now the Arabs are going to increase again their stake in MIG.

Finally, let me add, that MIG manages a lot of Arabic investments.

Personally, I considered this great news. Still, the group is headquartered in Greece, and the companies that it acquires as well. So, they are Greek in many other senses, not the proprietary one. The group is an investing scheme and it will pour huge amounts of money into the Balkans and Eastern Europe, through Greece, which will get its share.

05 Oct 2007.
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=13255&t=03&m=A21&aa=1
"We began with an original investment of 500 million euros, then increased this to 2bn euros, so this gives some indication of our intention," he added. Vgenopoulos said that even if Dubai decides to buy 60 percent, MIG will remain a Greek company since its headquarters is in Greece and its strategic plans are focused on Greece and the surrounding region.

And another small question for you my friend skyduster, since you like facts:

Can you find:
"Who controls the Greek companies in the Greek Stock Market, Greeks or otherwise?". (http://news247.gr/a/6%2119421)


P.S. Τι άλλο ελέγχει η MARFIN:
http://www.marfininvestmentgroup.com/65_XxmNeyrEejU.img
http://www.vast2006.org/images/Hilton_logo.gif
http://www.greekcasinonews.com/images/stories/casino_porto_rio.gif

Well MIG is as Greek as an immigrant can be, look at this and you will understand
"On 12 July 2007 the Company completed a Euro 5,19 billion Global Offering with the issuance of 774.660.278 in order to fund its acquisitions in targeted countries."
I cannot imagine of a Greek company having so much cash!Anyway it is true that is not an entirely Arab company of course.
And we should also mention that MIG was thinking to make an offer for the acquisition of HELEX (Greek exchange group).

Big news lately. The transport minister came out and said after a meeting with the EU that Olympic cant continue the way it is any longer. He says they expect a decision in 2008. The EU though said they cant wait for Greece any longer on Olympic's fate. The transport minister said that the EU is strongly favoring the "Sabena model" where Belgian career Sabena closed down for about a month, and re-opened as a smaller, debt free company, then sold quickly. Olympic's current debt is at around 2 billion euro, while loosing millions more each year.

The transport minister says that he will try to keep Olympic current size, but most likely Olympic must be closed and re-opened as a smaller company and then sold. Plans call to keep only 20 planes (from the current 42) with a much smaller network, mostly domestic with limited International services. The minister says they would like to transfer the OA name and slots to the new company. He also says that he will not deprive the islands of Air service not even 1 day. (OA is the only air service for some islands, and is legally subsidized by the government) He also says the new airline will not be a monopoly career like OA.

The Transport Minister says that all Olympic employees (about 9,000) will get jobs at the new airline, move to other state jobs, or take the option of leaving the company. The Unions are upset obviously, and say that they plan to strike after the holidays. Such a strike could potentially shut down the whole airport since the Olympic mechanics service most of the airlines visiting the airport. The OA Mechanical base in ATH is considered one of the best in Europe and has contracts with over 80 airlines worldwide, including many well respected airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Singapore Airlines.

All this has been brought on so quickly because Irish low-cost airline Ryanair sued the European Commission for not acting on complaints made by them into OA receiving illegal state aid.


(Hope I got everything right. I typed what I remembered)

What a f#%&ken joke.....excuse the language.

This new Minister and ND Party are a complete waste of time.

This is the party that let half of the Peloponese burn last summer, I don't think they can manage their way out of anything.

We can't even save the national carrier....what a disgrace....and only because ND has struck a deal with several low cost operators to saturate the greek market with lost flights to popular desitnations during the peak tourist period.

I wonder what will happen during the off-peak period ?

I'm with the workers on this one.....bring on the strikes and sit-ins.

And I certainly will not be flying RyanAir...that's for sure.

Enough is enough

Αναμενόμενη εξέλιξη, όλοι γνώριζαν ότι αργά η γρήγορα η εταιρεία θα έπρεπε να βρεί μια λύση, όχι οτι αυτή βρέθηκε και τώρα, απλά πρόκειται για συνέχιση των πειραμάτων, και δυστηχώς χωρίς την συγκατάθεση των πειραματόζωων(εργαζόμενοι).

Για την συγκεκριμένη προτεινόμενη λύση, ότι ακούγεται δηλαδη γιατί όπως πάντα αυτή η κυβέρνηση μας τα κρατάει όλα για έκπληξη, συνεχίζω να μην ειμαι αισιόδοξος, και πιστεύω οτι αργά η γρήγορα η εταιρεία απλά θα χαθεί, και προς τα εκεί βαίνει χρόνια τώρα με τις συνεχείς συρρικνώσεις που δεν κατάφεραν τίποτα παρά μόνο μια ιδιότυπη παραχώρηση "πελατέιας", απο την ΟΑ στην aegan και τους υπόλοιπους "μνηστήρες".
Στο όνομα της ελεύθερης αγοράς δηλαδή θυσιάστηκε και η εταιρεία, για την οποία αδυνατώ να πιστέψω οτι ενδιαφέρθηκε ποτέ καμια κυβέρνηση.

EU's Barrot says Olympic Air running out of time-report
Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:04am EST

ATHENS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Greece is running out of time to find a formula to save troubled Olympic Airlines [OLY.UL], EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot told an Athens paper.

"The longer we take in finding a viable and legally strong solution, the bigger the danger that Olympic will disappear along with its name and logo," Barrot was quoted as saying to the Greek daily Eleftheros Typos on Monday. The Greek government said for the first time on Friday that it was unlikely the carrier, which has been told by the EU to pay back hundreds of millions of euros in illegal state aid, could be rescued in its present state.

Pressured by labour unions and the public, which have long opposed shutting down the airline founded by shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, consecutive Greek governments have tried and failed to privatise Olympic.

Barrot suggested that the debt-ridden Olympic may adopt a model like Belgium's Sabena, which was shut down and some of its assets transferred to a smaller, private company which is now successful.

"Only such a solution will allow the company to fly with the (same logo) in Greek skies," Barrot was quoted as saying.

Last month, budget airline Ryanair (RYA.I: Quote, Profile, Research) said it was suing the European Commission for failing to act on its complaint that the Greek government provided illegal state aid to Olympic.

"At this stage and despite efforts made by Greek authorities, I think it is very difficult to conclude that Olympic has paid back all illegal aid it has received and that it does not continue to receive aid," Barrot said.

The Commission first ruled in 1996 Olympic must pay back large amounts in illegal aid it received in the 1990s.

Olympic Airways was split into two units in 2003, a debt-heavy services company and a debt-free carrier, Olympic Airlines. Brussels still regards it as one company. (Reporting by Stelios Bouras; Writing by Dina Kyriakidou; Editing by David Holmes)

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL102819920071210

What a f#%&ken joke.....excuse the language.

This new Minister and ND Party are a complete waste of time.

This is the party that let half of the Peloponese burn last summer, I don't think they can manage their way out of anything.

We can't even save the national carrier....what a disgrace....and only because ND has struck a deal with several low cost operators to saturate the greek market with lost flights to popular desitnations during the peak tourist period.

Yes of course ND is to blame for everything that is happening in Greece nowadays. Remember PASOK?

Didn't they rule Greece almost uninterruptedly for 20 years? Aren't they at least partly to blame for running a once thriving company into the ground?

In a liberalised market there should be place for low cast operators as well as "normal" ones. Ever asked yourself why former state run airlines like Austrian, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa etc etc seem to be doing very well in this liberalised market?? Because they adapted to the changing market conditions. That is what Olympic has never done.

Alittle off topic, but Italian troubled carrier (like Olympic) Alitalia is expected to announce a winner to its selling process today. The candidates running were Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and AirOne. Lufthansa pulled out, and its up for AF-KLM and AO. If only Olympic could be sold to a succeful company like AF-KLM or LH......

Yes of course ND is to blame for everything that is happening in Greece nowadays. Remember PASOK?

Didn't they rule Greece almost uninterruptedly for 20 years? Aren't they at least partly to blame for running a once thriving company into the ground?

In a liberalised market there should be place for low cast operators as well as "normal" ones. Ever asked yourself why former state run airlines like Austrian, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa etc etc seem to be doing very well in this liberalised market?? Because they adapted to the changing market conditions. That is what Olympic has never done.

People are so quick to point the finger at ND when they haven't even been in power for more then a few years! And I'm not saying that ND isn't to blame in anything but PASOK was in power for how many decades? Let's think about the concequences of that for a minute! What was PASOK doing to help? What is happening with Olympic is a shame because it is our national carrier, it's been in "business" for nearly 50 yrs since its conception and has been one of the safest airline carriers in the world! The potential there was great but unfortunately it also has had so many problems like poor labor relations and political management with no skill that has run it into the ground. The problem is that Olympic never learned to make money in the airline industry. And of course the European Union doesn't care about Olympic surviving they would much rather see it as a domestic carrier anyway. And regarding other well known carriers like Alitalia for example, yes they have adapted to the current market but those carriers too have received quite a bit of state aid just as Olympic has.

It's interesting to point out that since the government took over, the ONLY profitable year was in 1996. The then person in charge of OA helped it a great deal, but was quickly thrown out by the government since they didnt like his plans. I have read in other posts that he has a book out about his time at OA and how people were (and still do today) paid to sit in offices doing absolutely nothing. In 2000 (I think) British Airways management was brought in to help OA (even ordering new planes that were later canceled), but they quickly left because the employees REFUSED to work for them and give them the information they needed. One story is that when they went to get the financial information, there was simply NO RECORD kept at all and the employees practically threw them out of the offices. The media in Greece the past week has talked about OA alot, and 1 big thing is that OA currently is not making long term plans, but short term plans. Every year for the past couple of years, they lease planes from various places, some even unknown. This year they lease 4 planes from a Spanish firm, and a giant cut was found on the side of the plane, covered up by glue and paint. The plane had suffered problems in the air, and OA mechanics looked at it finding the problem. The other 3 planes reportedly had similar problems. Now stupid things like this could cost peoples' lives and tarnish OA's perfect jet safety record.

I dont think its fair to blame ND for all of OA's problems. PASOK was in the government for a long time and had a helping hand in running down OA as others have said. The current problems with OA are not new, but have been dragging on for years. I believe the government first tried to sell OA off in the early 2000's but no buyers were interested. So they restructured in 2003 and have tried at least 2-3 times again to sell. The 3rd time they were very close to selling to Olympic Investors, but the deal fell through because of OA's massive dept. Then there was the whole "Pantheon" plan which fell through. Let's see what happens now. The EU can't wait any longer...

Olympic is a microcosm of how the greek public sector actually operates.....And it doesn't paint a pretty picture.

^^
Exactly.

EU's Barrot says Olympic Air running out of time-report
Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:04am EST

ATHENS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Greece is running out of time to find a formula to save troubled Olympic Airlines [OLY.UL], EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot told an Athens paper.

"The longer we take in finding a viable and legally strong solution, the bigger the danger that Olympic will disappear along with its name and logo," Barrot was quoted as saying...

..."Only such a solution will allow the company to fly with the (same logo) in Greek skies," Barrot was quoted as saying....

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL102819920071210

I will not miss the OA name and logo.

I will not miss the OA name and logo.

I would have "Olympic" over "Pantheon" any day. :cheers:

Well Pasok haven't done anything about Olympic Airlines because they destroyed it themselves.
They hired people in order to vote them and the company can't find enough money to pay them..so I blame them..

Anyway that's the true story but It's disallowed to talk about Politics so let's stop this here.

Very, Very, Interesting article here. It talks about the current troubles from a slightly different view than discussed in most articles and about the whole previous deal with OLYMPIC INVESTORS (who are still very interested).


Olympic Airlines may close soon
This may be the tail end of Olympic: the Greek government may have no choice but to close the airline, now at 1.1 billion euros in debt.

Thursday, December 13, 2007
By Elaine Green

WITH even modest estimates of Olympic Airlines' (OA) debts at 1.1 billion euros and a possible lawsuit against the European Commission to act against the carrier's illegal state aid, the government may have little choice but to finally remove the famous rings from the skies. A subdued and drastically scaled down domestic flyer to the islands may be all that the state can salvage.

The crisis was exacerbated by last month's action from Ireland-based, low-cost carrier Ryanair. It announced plans to sue the European Commission for failing to act on its complaint about the illegal state aid provided to national carriers such as OA and Air France.

Many observers blame OA's unions for the airline's demise. Consecutive attempts to sell were characterised by crippling strikes and a political climate that breathed fear into both New Democracy's recent efforts and Pasok's prior efforts to sell the debt-ridden carrier, they maintain.

As if to acknowledge this, unions have pledged not to strike over the latest crisis. On December 6, OA announced that despite the government's bankruptcy threat, it will not strike over the busy Christmas season. Instead, it will be "business as usual". One exception is a decision to join the nationwide general strike slated for December 12.

The Athens News has also learned that the Pilots' Union is "coming around to the idea of privatization as the only solution". It has resisted this solution in the past, but it could still be too little too late.

On December 3 Transport Minister Costis Hatzidakis announced state plans to declare the company bankrupt and then follow it with a new, smaller, "healthier" airline. He estimates that 2.2 billion euros could be closer to the truth in terms of OA's total debts.

The minister's idea to create the new entity is not a plan that has been agreed upon by the EU as of yet, it is understood. It should be noted that the EU rejected a similar, previous attempt, ruling that it still inherited the debts of the old airline because it took on its aircraft and other assets.

Hatzidakis plans to dump the airline's prestigious international routes. Yet, he claims that none of OA's employees, which amount to over 9,000 people, will lose their jobs due to the airline's closure. "We must rid ourselves of this problem that has been dogging us for years. We want a healthy scheme. We want the Olympic rings to keep flying, " he said.

"Ryanair's lawsuit... and the demand to open up dossiers on 'new illegal state subsidies' are worsening the situation for Olympic, " added Hatzidakis.

Olympic Investors down but not out

In an interview with the Athens News, Kostas Alexakis, who heads up Olympic Investors (OI), the Greek-American consortium backed by York Capital, still sees privatisation as the only solution for the carrier.

"We are more than happy to re-engage with the government under the terms agreed upon and complete the transaction begun in 2005," he said.

OI was chosen as the preferred bidder for OA in June 2005 and then signed a memorandum of understanding in August 2005. The tender was stalled but never officially cancelled after issues emerged related to the Greek state's failure to recover its illegal aid from the airline.

Surprisingly, despite two years of OI's lobbying, the Greek government never put OI's offer on the table to the EU, it is understood. Instead, it has sought other bidders from the Middle East and the Greek shipping sector.

"We feel confident that if asked to rule on our negotiated transaction, the EU would find it valid and that the deal would support OA in the terms the EU wants - namely free of illegal state aid," he said.

The OI consortium negotiated to acquire certain aircraft, aircraft leasing agreements, country slots and relationships, Alexakis added. Part of this deal included the staff that run this network and assets. This bid is valid under both Greek and EU law. Since it is not for the whole group, it would be an asset sale and would not make it liable for the aid.

Meanwhile, Pasok leader George Papandreou said that OA's management and its employees should be given greater say in company affairs to solve its problems - a solution that industry experts say could be the very thing that led to the airline's failure to compete in the market.

Elaine Green writes for the Athens News, and appears here with permission.

From: http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=124&id=13011&t=Olympic+Airlines+may+close+soon

I read a recent article about Olympic desperately trying to retain its name and logo.
Wouldn't it be better to get rid of this name and logo since, lets be honest, nowadays people tend to think Olympic has bad service and the name Olympic Airlines doesn't really make me think of "great airline".

Id rather a new name thanks.

edit

man..i'd create a totally new airline..different logo,different colors..everything...

i feel kind of claustrophobic and scared when im flying with Olympic..not because it's not a good airline..actually it has some of the best pilots to my concern..but those dark blue colors and those uniforms..bliah...

I read a recent article about Olympic desperately trying to retain its name and logo.
Wouldn't it be better to get rid of this name and logo since, lets be honest, nowadays people tend to think Olympic has bad service and the name Olympic Airlines doesn't really make me think of "great airline".

Id rather a new name thanks.

Well even though they have had bad luck lately, the name and logo believe it or not is very valuable that they could use to sell the new airline. There is at least one firm interested in the Olympic name specifically.

The logo looks pretty outdated, though the name could stay.
Id prefer an almost complete new airline, just keeping the name Olympic or something like Air Olympic.

Well if they keep some kind of incarnation of the name in the new airline, I would suspect it to be "Olympic Air" or just plain "Olympic". I would also expect them to leave the rings, since they believe it "iconic".

As for the "new look", I found some livery ideas at http://www.cardatabase.net/modifiedairlinerphotos of what people have made for fun that I thought were interesting. Some still have the rings, and others don't. Some are just minor improvements (many believe that the current livery is a 'classic' and shouldn't be changed) while others are completely new. Here are some:

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1104/86381242bk9.jpg
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/1912/84324136az9.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/100/66433261lh1.jpg
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/7026/68995152lb2.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9609/25440095af3.jpg

Now think what professionals can do for the new image of OA.....

The Olympic Flame one looks nice IMO, but I don't think if this was an official proposal that they would go for it because the rings are gone. Maybe they could incorporate the rings on the tail fin with the Olympic flame some how, or even replace the flame with the rings. lol. Overall, I think that livery idea is "clean" and looks very professional.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/7026/68995152lb2.jpg

This one looks very sharp! I like it!

What I am happy to see here is a bunch of (presumably) young people speaking like humans and not like robots. Unfortunately, the Greek society is kept hostage by few dynamic minorities in all aspects of social life and Olympic Airlines is the perfect example of this.

I know about the high level of pilots, cabin crews and engineers. However, although these groups constitute the forefront of OA services and are, in their majority up to now, good professionals, I never heard them even uttering a word of objection with regards to what the politicians were doing since, I believe, they were part of the problem as most of them were hired with summary procedures as their other admin and ground handling colleagues did.

Shutting down OA will be a sad thing, however, the public sector in Greece has to learn the big lesson that everybody working in the private sector know: there cannot be ANYTHING such as job security when your company is a bad performer. Eventually, the repercussions of the incompetence of your superiors and managers will affect YOU. They should have voiced their objections to these tactics of cheap vote-fishing politics long ago. Now, it's a little too late and a large part of the society -including socialists who actually behaved to OA like it was their feud, considers the running of OA as an insult to their intelligence, the laws of the market, the laws of common logic, and to all those who have to prove that they deserve the bread they win -literally- every single day.

GREECE: Defending Nationalism In The Air
By Apostolis Fotiadis

ATHENS, Jan 14 (IPS) - The European Commission (EC) announced a formal investigation Dec. 20 into complaints that the Greek state is illegally subsidising its national air carrier.

This is the third time that the EC is taking up this case.

The national carrier comprises two separate legal entities - the Olympic Airlines (OA) and Olympic Airways Services (OAS). The two companies emerged from a split in Olympic Airways in 2003 in a move to part privatise the company.

OA took over the flying part and OAS the handling and technical services. It also picked up Olympic Airways shares in other companies which provided services like catering and information technology assistance.

This division followed the first investigation by EC, which found that the government had given subsidies worth 160 million euros.

The commission argued then that between 1994 and 2000 the Greek state was allowed to reform Olympic Airlines under the "one time, last time" principle. That makes it lawful for a state to support restoration of a public company once.

A Greek court held that the new entities did not bear the financial responsibilities of the older one. But the Commission considered the two new companies successors of the older one, and said they, rather than the state, should be responsible for their debts.

A second investigation in March 2004 found that Olympic Airlines had received another 450 million euros in illegal financial assistance.

Subsidies came by way of not collecting taxes and social security contributions from the company. It was also found that the state had supported lease of aircraft on behalf of the company, and since 2005 has protected it with a special law on private creditors.

The commission also says the Greek state over-compensated the airline when it sued the government over past obligations.

The third investigation now follows further moves by the Greek government to evade collection of debt owed by the airline. The inquiry is expected to lead to an EC request to reclaim more illegal financial support from the funds it gives to Greece.

"No selective treatment against Olympic is applied, we just want that the state implements the Commission's decisions and recovers illegal financial support," EC spokesperson Michele Cercone told IPS.

Airline officials strongly oppose the EC moves. "The Commission is picking on issues with the airline that are pending also for every other company in Greece, like delayed social security contributions and taxes," Emmanuel Patestos, president of the Union of Airways Workers told IPS.

"It also ignores that the relation between the company and the state is not based exclusively on market criteria. During the construction of the new Athens International Airport, 100 billion drachmas (pre-euro Greek currency) went from the accounts of the company to developing services infrastructure at the airport, thus serving state interests."

The public character of Olympic means it is not just profit oriented. The company maintains various daily flights to non-profitable destinations like the islands during the winter.

It is widely accepted that liquidation of the company would lead to a sharp increase in air fares and huge unemployment. A decline in safety standards is also feared if private companies take over.

Permanent staff has been reduced more than 50 percent since 1998. The airline currently employs about 4,000. Another 4,000 are on seasonal contracts. The airline maintains 100 domestic and international flights daily, and carries 6.5 million passengers a year.

OA is also considered one of the safest companies worldwide, with a highly qualified maintenance crew. It receives many requests for technical support to fleets of major European companies. But bad management and lack of personnel have meant that such services have done little to erase debts.

EC commissioner for transportation Jaque Barro has recommended reduction of the company's services in line with the pattern followed for the Belgian airline Sabena. "Respecting the law is the only way to secure a healthy future of the air transport market in Greece, based on fair competition and providing for the interests of Greek consumers and taxpayers."

But despite its problems the company enjoys the support of the public and the Greek diaspora. "The consequences of liquidation will be enormous," Patestos said. "We speak of a company which has for decades contributed the most in Greece's economic development, supported the periphery, and maintained bonds with another 10 million Greeks abroad."

The market has not failed the company, he said. "It is the Commission's political decision to dissolve smaller national air carriers and support private companies that dictates what happens in this case." The commissioner's spokesperson declined to comment on this statement. (END/2008)


http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40779

Is it true Olympic ordered two new Airbus A320's?
I am surprised if it is.
I also heared they are cutting 30% of flights this summer. I am still shocked by thier website, its looks disgusting.
http://www.olympicairlines.com/

their fleet doesn't look much better either it looks like they still live in the 70's or something...

their fleet doesn't look much better either it looks like they still live in the 70's or something...

The livery looks classic and I quite like it. Doesn't mean they shouldnt update though.
About Olympic in general, I have read countless reports from people using Olympic long haul saying it is the best airline experience they ever had. I definetly think that Olympic should strengthen its long-haul destination list if it falls into private hands.

Man they probably were pissed or something, I've used Olympic twice and I wouldn't use them again even if it was for free. Crap planes, obnoxious staff no cabin entertainment..... STAY AWAY .....

^^Haha, I second that. Nothing the Greek state owns functions properly. Privatise or piss off!!

Man they probably were pissed or something, I've used Olympic twice and I wouldn't use them again even if it was for free. Crap planes, obnoxious staff no cabin entertainment..... STAY AWAY .....
I am guessing this wasn't a long-haul service then.
To be honest, I am not going to be using Olympic when I fly Athens-Rome this summer but I wouldn't mind flying thier short/medium route planes to see how bad they really are.
Thier international A340's are definetly a different story though it would seem - PTVs, nice cabins, good economy space.

Athens to London Heathrow both times (I must admit that the food was quite good :))

Their website is supposedly going to get another re-vamp soon. As for the new planes, thats the first I have heard of it. But it would be strange to add just 2 planes of that type to the fleet.

Anyway there is some OA news today:


New OA Partnerships
70 New Flights to Asia & Australia
14 May 2008 20:09:00
By Alexandros Moz

Olympic Airlines, the Greek national air carrier, have announced two new partnerships with Singapore Airlines and Silk Air, offering to passengers flights to more than 70 destinations in Asian and Australia at very attracting rates. Five Australian cities, New Zealand, and several popular Asian destinations, including Vietnam, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Bangladesh, Brunei, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and the Philippines, are among the new destinations offered.
FROM http://news.ert.gr/en/c/5/32664.asp

----------------------------------------------------
(A comment from the original person that posted this news on an aviation forum)
All the new connections are offered at attractive prices. Greece to the Philippines begin from 600 Euros, to India from 700 Euros, while to Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth) from 870 Euros. For more information, the passengers of Olympic Airlines can go to www.olympicairlines.com and for reservations or contact their travel agent.


Also:

Olympic Airlines: Collaboration with Air Berlin

Air Berlin and Olympic Airlines have formed a partnership to allow Air Berlins passengers from various German cities to connect onto OA's network.



Olympic Aviation wins Eurocypria maintenance contract

The technical base of Olympic Aviation - Services undertook the heavy technical maintainable of planes of Eurocypria Airlines, which operates charter flights to and from Cyprus.



Also there are reportedly pilot strikes lately, forcing OA to cancel a number of Domestic flights. It has something to do with OA management asking the pilots to fly more hours each week, than it states in their contracts.

And of course, there are all the strikes against privatization all over Greece, including OA, every so often...

The Australian routes sound interesting but I don't understand how they will work?
So we will go ADL-SIN with Singapore Airlines and then what?

The Australian routes sound interesting but I don't understand how they will work?
So we will go ADL-SIN with Singapore Airlines and then what?


I am not sure, but I am guessing maybe its a code share all the way through (ADL-SIN-ATH) with Singapore Airlines, but with competitive prices. But about a year ago, there was a rumor that OA would re-start ATH-SIN.....

OA's website sucks, and isnt up to date so I can find out more. I am guessing you would have to call a travel agent for this code share?

I know they also do a codeshare with Air China via Dubai too.

I just found this map on thier site:
http://oageneral.olympicairlines.com/images/internationalmapuk.jpg
Why does it still have Sydney on it?

I want Olympic to die FAST. Last week they cancelled my flight in Rome 2 weeks before without telling me. What an amateurs. I place Alitalia and Olympic in the same category. Onassis would turn around in his grave if he knew the mess they made of Olympic.

Go Aegean.

I just found this map on thier site:
http://oageneral.olympicairlines.com/images/internationalmapuk.jpg
Why does it still have Sydney on it?

Their web page is VERY outdated. Most of the stuff on it is from the old Olympic Airways (still Airways, before Airlines) page.

I wonder what happens with their old Gulf Airways code share to Australia now that they signed with Singapore Airlines.


I want Olympic to die FAST. Last week they cancelled my flight in Rome 2 weeks before without telling me. What an amateurs. I place Alitalia and Olympic in the same category. Onassis would turn around in his grave if he knew the mess they made of Olympic.

Go Aegean.

Domestic, and some medium-hall they are crap. But I can't complain at all about their long-haul.

Greek people are telling me the gouvernement makes nothing for OA, OA will ground and then...tatataaaaaa...there is only a privat Aegean Airline, taking over all OA flights and planes ;). So they can't say they "privatised" OA, in fact they did! For me, ONLY FLY AEGEAN! Good prices, best service!

It's important for at least some other carrier (whether OA or other) to exist besides Aegean in order to provide competition. Without this competition, Aegean could increase prices or decrease service/quality in other areas without suffering consequences. This is the logic behind the privatizations - otherwise, private companies would be no different than state-run companies.

For me, ONLY FLY AEGEAN! Good prices, best service!

Not to mention the HOTTEST flight attendants I have ever experienced! Manoula mou! I swear every woman that I have seen working on those flights is hot enough to be a professional model! :cheers::banana:

Aegean is a very good company which i really liked when i flew from Crete to Thessaloniki.OA have some(?) arrogant stewartesses(i wanted to shoot that woman that day when i flew from SKG to LGW) but still i don't want to see OA to "die".

Is Aegean established from Thessaloniki as their hub? Are they planning to purchase bigger jets and fly to Usa or Canada?

I apologize for going off topic.

ATH is its hub.
Aegean has no plans for long-haul AFAIK.

ATH is its hub.
Aegean has no plans for long-haul AFAIK.

Yep. Also interesting to note is that they don't compete directly with OA on European routes. They only recently started London.

Is that five cities in Australia, or Australia, NZ and Asia combined?
Five cities in Australia would be practically all the major cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide. Sydney and Melbourne would be their best options, with Adelaide possibly.

Actually, reading it again, it seems the five cities thing is in Australia, NZ and Asia combined, not just Australia. My bad. Got excited there for a moment.

Is that five cities in Australia, or Australia, NZ and Asia combined?
Five cities in Australia would be practically all the major cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide. Sydney and Melbourne would be their best options, with Adelaide possibly.

Actually, reading it again, it seems the five cities thing is in Australia, NZ and Asia combined, not just Australia. My bad. Got excited there for a moment.
Its 5 Australian cities. The English translator for ERT just worded the article weird.

Here is the Greek version, which should be a bit clearer and has more detail. As I bolded in the article, the Australian cities include Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth. The article also mentions the prices:


70 νέες ανταποκρίσεις σε Ασία & Αυστραλία

Νέες συνεργασίες των ΟΑ
14/5/2008 8:09:00 μμ
Συντάκτης: Αλέξανδρος Μοζ

Τις συμφωνίες για δύο νέες συνεργασίες με τη Singapore Airlines και τη Silk Air, ανακοινώνουν οι Ολυμπιακές Αερογραμμές. Έτσι, οι ΟΑ θα μπορούν να εξυπηρετούν τις ανάγκες του επιβατικού κοινού για ανταποκρίσεις σε ελκυστικές τιμές για περισσότερους από 70 προορισμούς σε Ασία και Αυστραλία.

Μεταξύ των νέων προορισμών, στους οποίους αποκτά αεροπορική πρόσβαση το επιβατικό κοινό των Ολυμπιακών Αερογραμμών, συμπεριλαμβάνονται πέντε πόλεις της Αυστραλίας, η Νέα Ζηλανδία και πολλοί δημοφιλείς ασιατικοί προορισμοί, όπως είναι το Βιετνάμ, η Κίνα, η Ιαπωνία, η Ινδία, η Ινδονησία, η Ταϊλάνδη, η Καμπότζη, η Νότια Κορέα, η Μαλαισία, οι Μαλδίβες, το Μπαγκλαντές, το Μπρουνέι, η Μυανμάρ, το Νεπάλ, η Σιγκαπούρη, η Σρι Λάνκα, η Ταϊβάν και οι Φιλιππίνες.

Οι ιδιαίτερα εξυπηρετικές αυτές ανταποκρίσεις με τις πτήσεις της Singapore Airlines και Silk Air, πραγματοποιούνται μέσω του Ντουμπάι και του πλούσιου δικτύου ευρωπαϊκών προορισμών των Ολυμπιακών Αερογραμμών.

Ελκυστικές τιμές
Όλες οι νέες συνδέσεις προσφέρονται σε ελκυστικές τιμές. Ενδεικτικά αναφέρεται ότι οι ναύλοι μετ’ επιστροφής από την Ελλάδα προς τις Φιλιππίνες αρχίζουν από 600 ευρώ, προς την Ινδία από 700 ευρώ, ενώ προς την Αυστραλία (Μελβούρνη, Σίδνεϊ, Αδελαΐδα, Μπρισμπέιν και Περθ) από 870 ευρώ. Ιδιαίτερα ανταγωνιστικοί είναι οι ναύλοι και για τους υπόλοιπους νέους προορισμούς.

Οι παραπάνω τιμές ισχύουν για περιορισμένο αριθμό θέσεων και δεν περιλαμβάνουν επίναυλο καυσίμων, φόρους και τέλη αεροδρομίων.
Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες, οι επιβάτες των Ολυμπιακών Αερογραμμών μπορούν να απευθύνονται στην ιστοσελίδα www.olympicairlines.com και για κρατήσεις – έκδοση εισιτηρίων στους ταξιδιωτικούς τους πράκτορες.

Link: http://news.ert.gr/c/5/393206.asp


Seems like a great deal!

Haristo/thank you

Ah, nice.
So will Olympic actually fly to all five Aussie cities, or will connecting flights via domestic carriers like Qantas and Virgin be necessary to get from Melbourne to Adelaide?

Any idea how many flights in and out of each city? And via what routes?

Ah, nice.
So will Olympic actually fly to all five Aussie cities, or will connecting flights via domestic carriers like Qantas and Virgin be necessary to get from Melbourne to Adelaide?

Any idea how many flights in and out of each city? And via what routes?

Well looking at the article, I am guessing this is all code-share all the way through to Greece with Singapore Airlines, but with special prices. Don't know much detail beyond that.

So will Olympic actually fly to all five Aussie cities, or will connecting flights via domestic carriers like Qantas and Virgin be necessary to get from Melbourne to Adelaide?


The article says its a codeshare with Singapore Airlines (which already is the main gateway to Greece from Adelaide).

Olympic wont be flying anywhere beyond its current routes anytime soon, that for sure. :lol:

^ Too bad but , that is very true. I always used to wonder why Singapore comes to ATH. I guess it's all Greek-Aussies. I still think OU is a great Airline.

Κλείνουν τα φτερά του "εθνικού αερομεταφορέα"

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P_d1spzDKSE/SsDaE7pzsrI/AAAAAAAAS5w/OzASsxTzI64/s1600-h/olympic.jpg

Ο εθνικός μας Αερομεταφορέας, η Ολυμπιακή, κλείνει τον κύκλο της με την επωνυμία Ολυμπιακές Αερογραμμές. Σήμερα 28 Σεπτέμβρη θα γίνουν οι τελευταίες πτήσεις της Ολυμπιακής Αεροπορίας. Όπως ανακοινώθηκε οι επιβάτες της εταιρίας που διαθέτουν εισιτήριο για πτήσεις μετά την 29η Σεπτεμβρίου θα εξυπηρετηθούν από άλλες αεροπορικές εταιρίες συμπεριλαμβανομένης και της Olympic Air, βάσει συμφωνιών που έχουν ήδη συναφθεί και χωρίς επιπλέον επιβάρυνση των επιβατών. Όσοι δεν επιθυμούν να πετάξουν με άλλη εταιρία...

...δικαιούνται πλήρη επιστροφή του αντιτίμου του εισιτηρίου τους.

Την Ολυμπιακή θα "αντικαταστήσει η νέα Olympic Air που θα πραγματοποιεί πτήσεις στο εσωτερικό δίκτυο από Αθήνα για Θεσσαλονίκη, Καβάλα, Αλεξανδρούπολη, Λήμνο, Μυτιλήνη, Χίο, Σάμο, Κω, Ρόδο, Σύρο, Μύκονο, Σαντορίνη, Ηράκλειο, Χανιά, Κεφαλονιά, Ζάκυνθο, Πρέβεζα, Ιωάννινα, Κέρκυρα, καθώς επίσης και στους προορισμούς των άγονων γραμμών κατά τη διάρκεια της μεταβατικής περιόδου προς Σκύρο, Σκιάθο, Ικαρία, Κάλυμνο, Λέρο, Αστυπάλαια, Καστελόριζο, Κάσο, Σητεία, Πάρο, Νάξο, Μήλο, Κύθηρα και Καλαμάτα.

Σε ότι αφορά το δίκτυο του εξωτερικού, η εταιρία θα πετά προς Λονδίνο, Παρίσι, Βρυξέλλες, Άμστερνταμ, Βελιγράδι, Βουκουρέστι, Βιέννη, Μιλάνο, Ρώμη, Κωνσταντινούπολη, Λάρνακα, Βηρυτό, Κάιρο, Αλεξάνδρεια, Σόφια, Τίρανα, Τελ Αβίβ, ενώ προς Νέα Υόρκη, Τορόντο, Μόντρεαλ, Αυστραλία, Γιοχάνεσμπουργκ, Ατλάντα και Abu Dhabi θα υπάρχει συνεργασία με άλλες εταιρείες.

From: troktiko.gr