Greece expects the recently implemented Common Aviation Area Agreement (CAAA) between the EU and Armenia to create new opportunities for the promotion of its tourism product and for consumers, airlines and airports, said Deputy Transport Minister Christina Alexopoulou this week.

Addressing parliament, Alexopoulou said the EU’s approval of the common aviation area agreement with Armenia would pave the way for synergies with airlines and air transport, which she added, was a Greek government priority.

Signed in 2021, the agreement entered administrative application last month, aims to remove market restrictions and create a common aviation area between Armenia and the EU. The deal will also facilitate people-to-people contacts and expand commercial opportunities and trade between the EU and Armenia.

The minister also referred to flight safety standards achieved by Greece.

Earlier this year, Transport Minister Christos Staikouras and Acting Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Luc Tytgat discussed Greece’s strong performance with regard to safety standards and strengthening regulatory policies in the aviation sector.

“Greece increased its implementation levels of international standards from 69.1 percent to 74.89 percent, compared to the global average of 69.3 percent,” she said.

Under the agreement, all EU airlines will be able to operate direct flights from anywhere in the EU to any airport in Armenia, and vice versa for Armenian airlines.

Concluding, Alexopoulou said the agreement further strengthens ties between Greece and Armenia.

The EU-Armenia CAAA was ratified by the Greek parliament plenary on Wednesday, February 7, by a large majority.