NO. 47

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) welcomes United Airlines’ new seasonal nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Athens, Greece.  The service, which is a first, will begin July 1, 2021 and operate through October 3, 2021.

“We commend United Airlines for launching this new direct seasonal service from the capital of the free world, Washington, D.C., to the capital of the cradle of democracy, Athens, Greece,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “We believe this service will provide a boost to tourism and a lift to the Greek economy during a critical time as the world emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.  It also underscores how the relationship between the United States and Greece continues to strengthen across all sectors, including commerce and tourism.”

According to the United Airlines’ statement, their customers’ searches for flights to Greece is up 61%.

“Our hope is that United will grant strong consideration to making this service available year-round,” Larigakis added.

Background

In January 2013, AHI and AHEPA representatives met with United Airlines to explore possibilities of establishing a direct route from a major United hub in the United States to Athens.  The meeting came on the heels of a March 2012 joint letter the two organizations sent to United that expressed disappointment with the airline’s November 2011 decision to terminate the Newark to Athens nonstop seasonal service.

In a separate initiative in April 2014, AHI, AHEPA, B’nai B’rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, wrote a letter to United Airlines requesting it give its full consideration to establishing a direct route from Washington, DC (IAD) to Athens, Greece that would continue to Tel Aviv, Israel.