During an exciting ceremony that was organized at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” on Friday, 4th June 2010, Air Canada launched its first non-stop connection from Montreal and Toronto to Athens, Greece.  The non-stop seasonal services between Athens – Montreal and Athens – Toronto will be operating from June 4th until October 19th, 2010.

The Boeing 767-300 with flight number ΑC 828, arriving from Montreal, landed in the morning at Athens International Airport, to be greeted by the traditional fireman's water cannon welcome salute, followed by an official inaugural ceremony, which included ribbon-bonding and welcome speeches by business and government officials. The ceremony was attended by a delegation of Air Canada executives, the Chargé d' Affaires at the Canadian Embassy in Athens, Mr Denys Tessier, as well as Lufthansa representatives and media representatives.

Mr. Gary Cross, Air Canada’s General Manager for Europe, Middle East, Africa & India, proudly presented the new routes: "Air Canada's new non-stop summer services to Athens from both Montreal and Toronto will offer travellers even more convenient options for planning vacations and visiting friends and relatives on both sides of the Atlantic"  he stated. "Athens provides convenient connections for flights to other popular destinations throughout Greece. With the additions of Athens to our 2010 summer schedule, we are continuing to strategically deploy capacity to meet seasonal demand."

On behalf of Athens International Airport S.A., Mrs. Ioanna Papadopoulou – Director Communication and Marketing welcomed the new airline.  “We are very pleased to welcome Air Canada, Canada’s largest full-service airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market and in the international market to and from Canada,”she stated. “ We wish all the best for this well- targeted itinerary, which will bring the two countries even closer, and link them in a seamless and convenient itinerary, enabling Greeks from the large Greek colony in Canada to visit us even more often and vice versa. Good luck to Air Canada on this new venture”.

Air Canada has chosen Lufthansa as its General Sales Agent in Greece. On behalf of Lufthansa German Airlines, Mr Paulo Yoshikawa, General Manager Greece and Cyprus, stated: “Lufthansa is proud to be selected as Air Canada’s General Sales Agent in Greece and welcomes this esteemed and well – established Canadian carrier on this new venture. We look forward to the best results and we wish only success and positive results”.

Scheduled Flights- Air Canada Services

Canada's non-stop flights from Athens are scheduled to offer travellers convenient connections to the carrier's extensive North America network via its Montreal and Toronto hubs to/from 61 Canadian destinations, such as: Ottawa, Quebec City, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and 51 American destination, such as: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and New York. Respectively, for passengers arriving to Athens, connecting flights will be available with its future Star Alliance partner Aegean Airlines to/from Thessaloniki and several Greek Islands including Mykonos, Crete (Heraklion) and Rhodes.

Air Canada flights will be operated using 244-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft providing best-value all-economy service for leisure travellers, with the option of enhanced seating comfort and legroom in the forward cabin.

AIR CANADA SCHEDULE June 4th– October 19th 2010

ATHENS- MONTREAL-ATHENS

Depart Athens: Monday-Thursday-Saturday, flight AC829, at 12:15 (local time)
Arrive Montreal: Monday-Thursday-Saturday, at 16:20 (local time)

Depart Montréal: Monday-Thursday-Saturday, flight AC828, at 18:10 (local time)
Arrive Athens: Tuesday-Friday-Sunday, at 10:20 (local time)

ATHENS-TORONTO-ATHENS

Depart Athens: Tuesday-Friday-Sunday, flight AC827, at 12:15 (local time)
Arrive Toronto: Tuesday-Friday-Sunday, at 16:00 (local time)

Depart Toronto:Wednesday-Friday-Sunday, flight AC826, at 19:10 (local time)
Arrive Athens: Thursday-Saturday-Monday, at 11:45 (local time)


Help Desk Call Center
Travel agents who are handling individual/group trips and bookings can be served at the Help desk line 210 6175370, from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00 (GR local time).
The contact number for passengers is 00800972131023 and operates from Sunday to Thursday, 08:30 to 17:00(GR local time). The call centre will be closed on Greek public holidays.
For more information you can visit Air Canada site: www.aircanada.com

Air Canada, based in Montreal, offers direct passenger service to more than 170 destinations on five continents.  Canada’s national carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in the world and serves 31 million passengers annually. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance™, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network.

Press contact Air Canada in Greece
PR Connexione
Tel: 0030-210-8003655-6
Fax: 0030-210-8003654
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.prconnexion.gr