Olympic Airlines/Air
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Regarding job-guarantees:
Government spokesperson today said, that employment guarantees, and alternative offers (early-retirement, transfer to other state jobs) are meant only for permanent staff.
Seasonal staff will not be given any guarantees.
He also mentioned, that every greek citizen will understand, that the greek government does not owe a permanent job to somebody, that has worked for Olympic for 4 months during last summer on a seasonal contract.
Government spokesperson today said, that employment guarantees, and alternative offers (early-retirement, transfer to other state jobs) are meant only for permanent staff.
Seasonal staff will not be given any guarantees.
He also mentioned, that every greek citizen will understand, that the greek government does not owe a permanent job to somebody, that has worked for Olympic for 4 months during last summer on a seasonal contract.
Ryanair pushing for action, Olympic Airlines in trouble
Taken from BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7125040.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7125040.stm
The Greek government has said that national carrier Olympic Airlines has a 'more difficult future' amid speculation it may soon be grounded.
Athens is under increased pressure to reclaim illegal state aid that it paid to the airline.
And Ryanair is taking the European Commission to court for failing to act on further state subsidies it alleges were paid to Olympic.
The Greek carrier has struggled despite the widely-criticised funds.
Athens has previously said that the demands for repayments have made it impossible to find investors for the potential privatisation of the airline.
'Jobs safe'
The legal action by Ryanair makes Olympic's survival "more difficult" Greece's Transport Minister Costis Hadzidakis warned.
In a carefully worded statement following a meeting with EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot over the weekend, he said that the government was committed to keeping Olympic in the air.
But if it was forced to close, he pledged that none of the estimated 8,500 workers at the flag carrier would lose their jobs and that none of the Greek islands would lose their air links to the mainland.
This has been widely interpreted that the troubled airline's days are numbered.
Financial woes
Olympic has faced financial difficulties for years, despite being propped up by Athens.
Efforts to privatise the carrier hit turbulence after a 2005 ruling by the European Commission that found the Greek government guilty of illegal state aid to Olympic and demanded it reclaim the money worth hundreds of millions of euros.
The ruling related to subsidies given to Olympic between 1998 and 2002. Ryanair's complaint relates to a further 500m euros subsequently given by Greece to the airline, which the Irish budget airline alleges is the latest attempt by the government to support the carrier.
Athens is under increased pressure to reclaim illegal state aid that it paid to the airline.
And Ryanair is taking the European Commission to court for failing to act on further state subsidies it alleges were paid to Olympic.
The Greek carrier has struggled despite the widely-criticised funds.
Athens has previously said that the demands for repayments have made it impossible to find investors for the potential privatisation of the airline.
'Jobs safe'
The legal action by Ryanair makes Olympic's survival "more difficult" Greece's Transport Minister Costis Hadzidakis warned.
In a carefully worded statement following a meeting with EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot over the weekend, he said that the government was committed to keeping Olympic in the air.
But if it was forced to close, he pledged that none of the estimated 8,500 workers at the flag carrier would lose their jobs and that none of the Greek islands would lose their air links to the mainland.
This has been widely interpreted that the troubled airline's days are numbered.
Financial woes
Olympic has faced financial difficulties for years, despite being propped up by Athens.
Efforts to privatise the carrier hit turbulence after a 2005 ruling by the European Commission that found the Greek government guilty of illegal state aid to Olympic and demanded it reclaim the money worth hundreds of millions of euros.
The ruling related to subsidies given to Olympic between 1998 and 2002. Ryanair's complaint relates to a further 500m euros subsequently given by Greece to the airline, which the Irish budget airline alleges is the latest attempt by the government to support the carrier.
This is very amusing - how does the minister propose to ensure that "none of the estimated 8,500 workers at the flag carrier would lose their jobs" if - sorry, WHEN - it goes TU?
The death of this basket case company can't come soon enough.
The death of this basket case company can't come soon enough.
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Olympic
Last weeks ruling by the European Court of Justice as regards the repayment of allegedly illegal state aid to Olympic is a matter between the Greek Government and the European Commission. It does not impact directly on Olympic’s current or future schedules and the airline remains committed to maintaining all its services. European transport chief Jaques Barrot himself stated that he is interested in the long term viability of the airline and its employees. This would clearly not be best served by hasty action especially given that the Greek government is already committed to finding a permanent solution to this problem as quickly as possible.
In other words: Olympic is still very much alive and will continue this year!
In other words: Olympic is still very much alive and will continue this year!
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In other words: Olympic is still very much alive and will continue this year!
Whatsoever a man sows, that and only that will he reap.
Long D
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From the passenger perspective, OA can be a very pleasant experience on European flights. It would be a great shame if this proud symbol of Greece would be allowed to go to the wall.
For all those rubbing their hands in glee, what will your reaction be when FR take over from OA and replaced a proud carrier with the lowest common denominator?
Let's also remember the vital link that OA provides from certain islands and far-flung parts of the mainland, which would never be economical without government subsidy.
For all those rubbing their hands in glee, what will your reaction be when FR take over from OA and replaced a proud carrier with the lowest common denominator?
Let's also remember the vital link that OA provides from certain islands and far-flung parts of the mainland, which would never be economical without government subsidy.
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cambrian - who says it has to be Olympic who provides the service? You don't see Aer Lingus or British Airways doing PSO flying in Ireland or the UK do you?
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Perhaps not MarkD however a number of airlines have tried and failed in Greece.
The only truly succesful one is Aegean who purchased Air Greece the year it started its scheduled services to enable quicker growth and then merged with Cronus Airlines two years after starting up.
Cretan Airlines lasted only two years and Hellasjet also only lasted two although the latter is trying to make a comeback this year.
SkyExpress are making a small niche market using Jetstreams on small interisland services but stay well clear of Athens.
Olympic provide a very valuable service to the islands and realistically if they go, I cannot see Aegean picking up routes such as Paros, Naxos or Syros.
I think it is important that Olympic survive in order to keep these routes flying as otherwise many islands will lose their transport connection as other airlines will not pick them up.
The only truly succesful one is Aegean who purchased Air Greece the year it started its scheduled services to enable quicker growth and then merged with Cronus Airlines two years after starting up.
Cretan Airlines lasted only two years and Hellasjet also only lasted two although the latter is trying to make a comeback this year.
SkyExpress are making a small niche market using Jetstreams on small interisland services but stay well clear of Athens.
Olympic provide a very valuable service to the islands and realistically if they go, I cannot see Aegean picking up routes such as Paros, Naxos or Syros.
I think it is important that Olympic survive in order to keep these routes flying as otherwise many islands will lose their transport connection as other airlines will not pick them up.
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wouldhave - can I take though that Olympic are currently holding PSO contracts tendered via the Official Journal for the routes you mention? If not, why doesn't the Greek Government offer tenders, which is entirely legal?
[My wife is half-Greek so I can think of some answers to this question already
]
[My wife is half-Greek so I can think of some answers to this question already
]
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I agree with the earlier comment that Olympic do provide a good service, i flew with them last year and had no complaints at all and would fly with them again /recommend them. I think if it did go to the wall and couldnt be rescued it would be good to see Aegean pick up routes and keep it local so to speak.
Its all very well for the people at Ryanair rubbing their hands together in anticipation but they wouldnt pick up any or hardly any of the inter-Greece feeder routes and would just fly to their current bases rather than stepping in to the shoes of Olympic on most routes. I dont think MOL needs to wait for a possible demise of Olympic if thats his plan, it hasnt stopped him before. You cant deny Ryanair has its place in European Air Travel (and i say that not as a fan of the airline) but there needs to be a national airline or two in place to do what Ryanair doesnt - provide a full service offering domestically, within Europe and beyond to main city centre airports.
My hope is that it survives in some form or its taken over by someone with the backing to put it right.......which looks to be hopefully happening with Alitalia!
Its all very well for the people at Ryanair rubbing their hands together in anticipation but they wouldnt pick up any or hardly any of the inter-Greece feeder routes and would just fly to their current bases rather than stepping in to the shoes of Olympic on most routes. I dont think MOL needs to wait for a possible demise of Olympic if thats his plan, it hasnt stopped him before. You cant deny Ryanair has its place in European Air Travel (and i say that not as a fan of the airline) but there needs to be a national airline or two in place to do what Ryanair doesnt - provide a full service offering domestically, within Europe and beyond to main city centre airports.
My hope is that it survives in some form or its taken over by someone with the backing to put it right.......which looks to be hopefully happening with Alitalia!
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They are expensive and their website is dated. Their pricing structure is a joke, and the service is shoddy. Have you had a look or tried to book a flight with them? They would be the last airline I would consider flying to Greece with unless I has NO choice what so ever. They need to get into the real world.
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MarkD
My ex wife is Greek and I lived out there for 2 and a half years so I think I am also qualified to talk about it and know some of the answers as well as yourself.
Im totally in agreement with you that the Greek Government offering tenders is entirely legal and with the holding of the contracts. However the mentality out there is not of a profit making privatised airline on an equal basis with everyone else. It has more staff than it knows what to do with and you may well have seen photos of the strike at the back end of last year when central Athens came to an almost standstill at the threat of redundancies.
However my response was actually to your comment of who says it has to be Olympic that provides the service. As I said other airlines have tried and failed in Greece and the fact that one way or another the Government gave these contracts to Olympic means in my opinion the islands such as the ones I mentioned plus others would lose their transport link.
I think we probably have a very similar opinion at the end of the day - we just express it in different ways. I would love to see a new domestic airline in Greece operating on some of the smaller routes using DH8s or ATRs - I just think that it is unlikely it will happen as long as the present situation continues to happen.
My ex wife is Greek and I lived out there for 2 and a half years so I think I am also qualified to talk about it and know some of the answers as well as yourself.
Im totally in agreement with you that the Greek Government offering tenders is entirely legal and with the holding of the contracts. However the mentality out there is not of a profit making privatised airline on an equal basis with everyone else. It has more staff than it knows what to do with and you may well have seen photos of the strike at the back end of last year when central Athens came to an almost standstill at the threat of redundancies.
However my response was actually to your comment of who says it has to be Olympic that provides the service. As I said other airlines have tried and failed in Greece and the fact that one way or another the Government gave these contracts to Olympic means in my opinion the islands such as the ones I mentioned plus others would lose their transport link.
I think we probably have a very similar opinion at the end of the day - we just express it in different ways. I would love to see a new domestic airline in Greece operating on some of the smaller routes using DH8s or ATRs - I just think that it is unlikely it will happen as long as the present situation continues to happen.
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Olympic is a high standart operating airline.
I would always prefer Olympic even if the ticket is a little more expensive.
Usualy the prices are lower or similar to the other greek airline which is still
alive because the managment has good connections to greek politicians.
They want to keep Olympic in trouble so they can do their business and growing up.
DON'T HELP THEM!!
I would always prefer Olympic even if the ticket is a little more expensive.
Usualy the prices are lower or similar to the other greek airline which is still
alive because the managment has good connections to greek politicians.
They want to keep Olympic in trouble so they can do their business and growing up.
DON'T HELP THEM!!
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OA used to be good. Not any more. I have a lot of friends flying for OA an the feedback i am getting is not good. Alot of maintenance issues and a very poor customer service (inflight and ground) are a huge problem right now. OA is extremelly overstaffed and now greek citizens are paying for it.
I loved flying with OA but my last 2 trips were a disaster. But attitude from both flight and cabin crew, arrogance and extremelly poor service.
Do you know that there are pilots in OA (ex 717 cpts) that they are still getting paide and havent flewn for over 2 years ? hard to believe but it's true. I would love to see OA to make money but with the current managment and their tactics I am afraid that it's not possible. Maybe selling OA is the best for Greece and their citizens.
My opinion
I loved flying with OA but my last 2 trips were a disaster. But attitude from both flight and cabin crew, arrogance and extremelly poor service.
Do you know that there are pilots in OA (ex 717 cpts) that they are still getting paide and havent flewn for over 2 years ? hard to believe but it's true. I would love to see OA to make money but with the current managment and their tactics I am afraid that it's not possible. Maybe selling OA is the best for Greece and their citizens.
My opinion
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Flew from Crete to Rhodes with Olympic a few years ago. Spent about 15 minutes in a queue while six American ladies all in their seventies and eighties networked the check in lady. When we boarded the old 737 our six ladies were all seated in the exit row with their substantial bags piled on the floor in front of them blocking the exits. I pointed this out to the FA and was ignored, the stupid thing was that apart from being negligent it wasn't even necessary cos the flight was less than half full..
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Shut down and re-launch of Greek Olympic, 8k jobs to be lost
Read today that Greek flag carrier Olympic Airlines will be gradually shut down and rebranded as a new airline in early 2009.
CNBC reports that some 8000 jobs are expected to be lost.
Now, rebranding does not sound that much of a tradegy, but one local newspaper here reports that the airline will cease all operations by the end of the week until the new carrier is established?!?
Bad journalism or the awful truth? Hope there was something lost in translation....
CNBC reports that some 8000 jobs are expected to be lost.
Now, rebranding does not sound that much of a tradegy, but one local newspaper here reports that the airline will cease all operations by the end of the week until the new carrier is established?!?
Bad journalism or the awful truth? Hope there was something lost in translation....
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From Reuters:
ATHENS, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Greece said on Wednesday it would shut down ailing state carrier Olympic Airlines [OLY.UL] and relaunch it under a new structure, ending years of failed efforts to find a buyer. "In a little while, there will be an announcement on the agreement between Greece and the European Commission for the creation of a new Olympic," Greek Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis told reporters.
Greece's conservative government had pledged to either find a buyer or re-establish the loss-making airline as a new entity by the end of 2008.
Sources close to the company said the European Commission would approve on Wednesday a Greek government plan to shut down Olympic and transfer its valuable landing slots and trademark to a new company called Pantheon, which would be privately owned.
"(The new) company will keep the name, the symbols of Olympic, and it creates the conditions for dynamic growth of Olympic in the future," the minister said.
Some 8,000 employees are expected to lose their jobs but Hatzidakis said they would be taken care of. (Reporting by George Hatzidakis; editing by Sue Thomas)
ATHENS, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Greece said on Wednesday it would shut down ailing state carrier Olympic Airlines [OLY.UL] and relaunch it under a new structure, ending years of failed efforts to find a buyer. "In a little while, there will be an announcement on the agreement between Greece and the European Commission for the creation of a new Olympic," Greek Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis told reporters.
Greece's conservative government had pledged to either find a buyer or re-establish the loss-making airline as a new entity by the end of 2008.
Sources close to the company said the European Commission would approve on Wednesday a Greek government plan to shut down Olympic and transfer its valuable landing slots and trademark to a new company called Pantheon, which would be privately owned.
"(The new) company will keep the name, the symbols of Olympic, and it creates the conditions for dynamic growth of Olympic in the future," the minister said.
Some 8,000 employees are expected to lose their jobs but Hatzidakis said they would be taken care of. (Reporting by George Hatzidakis; editing by Sue Thomas)