"We were told in the afternoon that the Greek restrictions will apply until July 15, so all our flights will be suspended until then," says Karin Nyman, communications director at SAS.
Greece has announced several days ago that direct flights from Sweden would not be allowed until after July 15, but according to Karin Nyman there was until this day a hope that the restrictions would be released after discussions between Swedish and Greek authorities.
Sweden's ambassador to Greece, Charlotte Sammelin, tells TT that it is still possible for Swedes to go to Greece in other ways.
- It is all about the fact that Greek experts, their infection protection team, are currently sitting and evaluating the situation in Sweden during the two weeks until 15 July. Until they have a clearer picture, they want to reduce the number of arrivals from Sweden and it is not about the fact that Swedes are not allowed to enter, but it is about reducing the number of arrivals from Sweden. So you can go in other ways, if you want, and it goes well, says Charlotte Sammelin.
Tui flight canceled
Tui has also been forced to cancel the flight that was scheduled to take off on Thursday, after the company landed in windy weather at the end of last week. Then a first charter plan was sent down with both journalists and Tui employees as well as Swedish tourists, after they managed to negotiate an exception to the rules with the Greek government.
But once the flight landed, it turned out that the exception was not fully anchored on Rhodes, where many were surprised that Swedish tourists came down. Now the Greek government has withdrawn the state of the second planet, says Adam Györki, Tui Sweden's press chief, who went down to Rhodes with the first plane.
- We had permission to fly two flights. The flight that will pick us up on Thursday would bring additional guests. The condition we had been granted has now been withdrawn. The main reason is that there has been such a big media storm around these flights. The government doesn't think it's worth it, says Adam Györki.
The travel company will fly down an empty plane to bring home the Swedish tourists who are now on Rhodes. Anyone who bought a ticket for the departure on Thursday may choose to get the money back or travel at a later date.
"No long-term problems"
Adam Györki does not believe that the controversy with the two Tui flights will affect the relationship between tour operators and Greece, and believes that most Greeks welcome Swedish tourists. He is supported by Didrik von Seth, Secretary General of the Swedish Tour Operators Association, SRF.
- Hundreds of thousands of Swedes travel to Greece every year. It is important for the economy and it understands everyone who works with tourism in Greece. It will not pose any long-term problems. Swedes are welcome, we contribute a lot to the Greek economy, says Didrik von Seth.