The elusive goal of finally establishing a permanent direct air link between China and Athens is again on the front-burner, given that Shanghai-based multinational Cosco appears ready to facilitate a solution.
The elusive goal of finally establishing a permanent direct air link between China and Athens is again on the front-burner, given that Shanghai-based multinational Cosco appears ready to facilitate a solution.
Cosco retains a majority of the Piraeus Port Authority’s (OLP) shares and retains the management concession for Greece’s largest and busiest port.
According to sources who spoke to “N”, two Chinese state-run carriers are close to signing an agreement to re-launch the direct flights.
Cosco is reportedly close to a deal with Chinese Eastern Airlines, the third largest in the country, for direct charter flights from Beijing to Athens.
The shipping giant and port operator reportedly wants to link the charter flights with its promotion of Piraeus as a home port for cruise holidays throughout the Mediterranean.
An oft-repeated goal by Cosco is to bring as many as three million Chinese tourists every year through its Greece-based operations.