Non stop Chicago to Athens flight: What are we waiting for ?

Greek- American George Andritsakis loves Greece, and he loved tourism. George must love non stop flights from Chicago to Athens, and he is going a unique way to convince airlines to make this happen.

United Airlines, American Airlines, IATA, US Department of Transportation, FAA, ASTA, the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Travel and Tourist Agencies and the Greek National Tourism Organizations are named in a petition by George Andritsakis who is according to his Social media account is senior travel agent at AAA.

His petition is to raise awareness to the aforementioned bodies and corporations that new nonstop service between Athens, Greece and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is needed and vital, especially during summer.

As it stands now, nonstop service between North America and Greece is relegated to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark’s Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Philadelphia International Airport, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, and Montreal’s Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport, most with seasonal, summer-only service (not counting Emirates year-round service to and from Newark and Athens as an add-on to one of it’s Athens-Dubai flights.)

George states in his petition: “I have no doubt studies and route analysis have been done at both United Airlines and American Airlines on service to Athens in the past.  Now with the advent of aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, even the Airbus A330, service from Chicago to Athens non-stop can be profitably operated, even if summer-only.  Also, a mid-continent option would allow for greater and easier connection opportunities at both United and American’s massive hubs at O’Hare Airport.  There are quite a few cities on the west coast and inter-mountain west that would benefit strongly from an easier connection through Chicago instead of going through New York, Newark or Philadelphia.”

“I urge both airlines, and both countries respective Tourism, Travel, and Airline groups to look into this matter and get the ball rolling.”

Cathy Gorfis from Orland Park, IL stands behind this petition and comments:
“Chicago has the busiest airport in the world and many traveling connections to Athens, Greece. It will convenience travelers immensely by providing a direct flight to Athens…what are we waiting for???”

Click here to see the petition.


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