Greece to allow AUS tourists - an opportunity for Qantas?

5 replies

Yanni

Aegean Airlines - Miles & Bonus

Member since 15 Jun 2016

Total posts 49

The volume of Australian tourists travelling to Greece each year seems to be growing exponentially. The Greek PM announced that they would begin receiving international tourists from July, with Australia being one of the countries where its tourists would be accepted. Given Greece has been part of the 'first mover group' with Australia in battling COVID-19, it makes sense that when the Australian travel ban is lifted, Greece is one of the countries Australians would be allowed to visit and then return. The risk of travelling to US or UK is would be far greater for example.

Could this be an opportunity for Qantas to operate a flight similar to QF9 but from Melbourne - Perth - Athens? This would avoid passengers having to transit in hubs such as Doha or Dubai.

planesa380

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 05 Sep 2013

Total posts 77

Being honest I don't think that Qantas would operate a flight from Melbourne to Athens.

Scoot offers airfare staring at around AUD$900 round trip (seat only).

As Greece is a key tourist destination for leisure and family visits. This would mean that most travellers are price sensitive and would be unlikely to pay a premium to travel with Qantas.

Qantas's international strategy is heavily dependent on premium revenue and I do not think that Qantas would be able to achieve a premium by flying to Greece over another destination.

dimi

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 13 Jul 2012

Total posts 154

What are you guys even talking about?

Australian borders are closed. Australian citizens are required to obtain permission to leave Australia at least until the end of 2020.

Such permission is only granted for compassionate reasons. “I am going for a holiday in Greece” does not qualify.

Greece may open up to Australian tourist whenever it wants, but Australian tourists will not come any time before Australia opens up for international travel again.

Last editedby dimi at May 22, 2020, 09:48 AM.

Sibelius

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 06 Aug 2017

Total posts 181

Originally Posted by dimi

What are you guys even talking about?

Australian borders are closed. Australian citizens are required to obtain permission to leave Australia at least until the end of 2020.

Such permission is only granted for compassionate reasons. “I am going for a holiday in Greece” does not qualify.

Greece may open up to Australian tourist whenever it wants, but Australian tourists will not come any time before Australia opens up for international travel again.

Last editedby dimi at May 22, 2020, 09:48 AM.
In the OP's defence, the post does clearly say that it's talking about "when the Australian travel ban is lifted". No-one's saying that this will be anytime soon.

FlyingFox

Member since 22 May 2020

Total posts 2

As a frequent traveller to Athens, I for one would enjoy a direct service by Qantas, especially if that could be open jawed with another Euro city (not London).

Despite it being, as you say, mainly a leisure destination, you would be surprised how many of us "leisureites" travel in business!


kpkazzie

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2013

Total posts 63

(without any loosening of the international borders by Aus Gov this disucssion is really pointless but one can't help to wonder ahah) Personally I Think it would be more so an opportunity for Greece to subsidise flights to Australia given how important the tourism sector is for the country and how much the Australian market is worth to them. Greece aside, I would keep an eye on any movement with EL AL (Israel) and if they make any moves in continuing with their intent to operate direct flights from Tel Aviv to Australia, given Israel's progress with covid-19, bit of a wild card but who knows given the current state of play and what travel bubbles will exist outside that of NZ. In regards to Qantas, with the UK, US being out of the question for a while now and to a lesser extent Germany and France not many of their international destinations would be classified as Covid safe

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