Forecasts for a strong recovery of air travel over the course of this summer’s tourist season remain unchanged, according to the latest periodic report by the European Aviation Safety Agency (Eurocontrol) for the period up to May, 8.

According to the report, at the pan-European level (Eurocontrol covers 44 countries), and with a benchmark of the figures for 2019, the recovery rates are expected go from 80% this week to 87% between May 2 and 8.

In Greece, according to flight schedules until May 8, operations exceed 90% of 2019 levels. The data is in line with the forecasts provided by market players for arrivals and departures – i.e. aircraft will not fly with low occupancy rates – and may touch or even exceed those of 2019.

Moreover, as the CEO of Piraeus Bank, Christos Megalou, estimated during the recent Banking summit conference of the website Moneyreview.gr, tourism revenues are estimated to reach, this year, the levels of 2019 (approximately 18 billion euros).

Furthermore, according to the financial report of Aegean Airlines for the results of 2021, demand for flights this summer are estimated to follow the recovery course that started in 2021, based on the pre-bookings that the airline has received since the start of the year.

At the same time, the impact of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine on the tourism market appears to be insignificant, given that the two countries’ contribution to Aegean’s passenger numbers is only 3% and 2% respectively.

From the beginning of the year until mid-March, Aegean offered 33% fewer seats compared to the levels of the offered capacity of 2019, with the airline proceeding to increase its offered capacity gradually as the summer season draws closer.

This article was previously published in Greek at moneyreview.gr.