THESSALONIKI — Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" will open again after three months for direct flights from abroad and this will be held on conditions that will safeguard the public health and safety, stated Deputy Civil Protection and Crises Management Minister Nikos Hardalias on Monday adding that the government will not make any discount in terms of safety rules.

"Thessaloniki is a top priority wager for the government in terms of tourism as is the entire northern Greece" he said before his meeting with Fraport's officials at the airport Makedonia and underlined that everything will be ready, all the necessary protocols, by the end of the week.

Makedonia Airport will open on June 15 and on July 1 we will be ready throughout the country to welcome the travelers, but mostly the Greek citizens, with safety in all Greek airports he said.

Moreover, Hardalias said that "from the first moment the government showed that it wants to support the opening of the market but the opening is held with rules and these rules are non-negotiable.

On Fraport's part, the Chief Operating Officer Ilias Maragakis said that the aim is common, namely, safe airports. He said that the protocols implemented by Fraport are not only the National Health Organisation's but also those of the European Organisation for the safety of flights and of the World Health Organisation.