ATHENS – The first direct flight of an American airline from the USA landed at Athens International Airport on Tuesday, opening this year’s tourist season earlier than ever before.

The flight took off from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and was operated by Delta.

Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias was there with US Ambassador in Athens Geoffrey Pyatt to receive the first direct flight by an American airline to the Athens International Airport for this year’s tourist season.

Kikilias made the following statement:

“We welcome the first direct American flight to Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. We are very happy that it is very, very early this year and it is a vote of confidence for the country and Greek tourism.

Nine direct flights daily from the USA for Greece, which shows how important our effort is – and it will be successful – to bring tourists from America to Greece.

Mr. Ambassador, thank you very much for your support.”

On his part, Pyatt said:

“First of all, congratulations, Minister. I also want to congratulate Delta, for the first American flight of this tourist year, for which we have great expectations.

“Greece has so much to offer. Spring is a fantastic time of year here, and I’m really excited to have our first of our direct American flights, earlier than ever.

“This is just the beginning. We will have a record number of direct flights from the United States this year.

“I also want to say, Minister, as we meet against the background of the terrible developments in Ukraine, how much I appreciate your clear statements about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but also about the initiatives of the tourism ministry for jobs in the tourism sector for the Ukrainian people displaced by the violence in their country.

“Therefore, it is wonderful that we have some good news today that we are focusing on and I am very optimistic that we will see a record number of American tourists, who will come to enjoy everything that Greece has to offer in the next eight, nine months.”