Without interest from airlines for the connection of Thessaloniki - Kalamata - Kythera completed the tender made by the Civil Aviation Authority for the unprofitable air connections. «Courage».
The tender was held in early November for 12 lean air routes, including Kalamata, but despite initial estimates by the APA, airlines did not submit bids.
But this, as we have been told by senior Civil Aviation officials, does not mean that this air connection will not take place.
Alternatives are being considered
According to the officials of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Thessaloniki - Kalamata - Kythera route has already been notified to the European Union and, consequently, a way must be found to make it happen.
The final decisions will be taken by the Ministry of Transport on what will be done, as various alternatives are being considered. One of them is to reopen the tender for the specific connection, while another is to extend the duration of the existing Kalamata - Thessaloniki connection, with an extension of the line to Kythera.
However, as «Courage» reports, it was stressed that in any case a solution will be found for this air connection.
Terms
According to the terms of the tender, for the Thessaloniki - Kalamata - Kythera route the annual amount allocated for the subsidy of the line is 700,000 euros, while for the whole 4-year period it amounts to 2,800,000 euros.
However, the conditions stipulate that there must be three return flights per week in the low season, four in the medium season and six return flights per week in the high summer season, with a total of 150 seats offered per week in each direction in the low season and a total of 300 seats offered per week in each direction in the high summer season.
The notice also set the maximum fare rates per period.
In the event of a reopening, a change of terms may also be considered.
