An Air China passenger plane left the Venizelos International Airport in Athens on December 22, inaugurating the first direct Shanghai to Athens flight since the COVID-19 pandemic began, almost three years ago. 

The non-stop connection between the two countries is a significant milestone in the history of China and Greece relations.

Big red and white balloons by check-in counters 38 to 43 welcomed all those traveling on this inaugural direct flight. And the passengers seemed very excited.

"I will definitely come here more often – after I get my residence card, I'm planning to get a vacation house in Glyfada," said passenger Wang Tao. "The direct flights back and forth are very convenient, so I'll be a very frequent visitor."

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The direct flights will facilitate travel to Greece – for business or pleasure.

"It's going to make life easier, especially with the direct flight from Athens to Shanghai," said passenger Erin Won. "But this also means that China is opening up and applying less restrictions at this time and less quarantine time. [It will] just make things better, especially after the Chinese New Year."

On December 22, around 7:30 p.m. local time, the first Air China flight carrying around 300 passengers from Shanghai to Athens landed safely.

Meanwhile, upstairs at the departure gate, there was another Air China flight set to depart for China. People queued up early to check in their luggage, taking all necessary precautions – using hand sanitizers, gloves and masks. 

It is one of two direct flights operated by Air China each week between Greece and China. The Athens-Beijing direct air link, inaugurated in 2017, was suspended in the winter of 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic and resumed this summer.

Hassle-free

Up until now, flights from and to China had to make at least one layover of several hours and passengers had to undergo numerous COVID-19 tests. With China easing its coronavirus-related restrictions and the re-introduction of direct flights, all that hassle will become a thing of the past. 

"We have two routes to China, one in the north part in Beijing and one in the southern part in Shanghai – one in the political and cultural capital and the other in the financial capital," said Fan Heyun, Air China's general manager at Athens Airport.

"So, we believe that these two routes will enhance a deeper relationship between the countries."

After years of turbulence, the Greek tourism season is on the rebound with record numbers, even higher than those before the pandemic, and that has so far been without Chinese tourists coming in.

Now, with two direct flights every week from Shanghai and Beijing, things are looking up for both countries.