- Currently Pantheon is the best bet to replace Olympic Airlines
- Start date was expected to be Fall 2008
- Latest prediction is for sometime in Spring, 2009
- Update: tender offers for takeover of OA have failed (Feb 4th, 2009); future is unclear.
- Still "up in the air" as to whether Olympic will become Pantheon
- Planned transitions may cause further employee strikes before then
- Pantheon Airlines may only operate domestic flights in Greece; debate rages on whether international flights may be retained.
- Pantheon Airlines would still be the only provider for some unprofitable routes to lesser-known Greek islands.
- Former Olympic Airlines pilots, crew, and administrators are expected to be staffing Pantheon.
- Trivia about Pantheon Airlines:Pantheon" means "All the gods".
Pantheon may be the new name for Olympic Airlines if the Greek government can persuade the European Union to accept the new airline. The change is forced by massive fines against Greece for illegally subsidizing Olympic Airlines with hundreds of millions of Euros. Small airlines in the EU, such as Ryan Air, took offense at this illicit subsidy and have demanded that the EU take action.
What to Expect During the Olympic-Pantheon Transition
The stated plan is for Pantheon to operate alongside Olympic Airlines for about six months, which would supposed begin in the Fall of 2008. In Spring 2009, Olympic Airlines would completely cease operations, leaving Pantheon in place as its successor. A recent development was the interest of Qatar Airlines in acquiring Olympic - which might shortcircuit the entire Pantheon plan. But it looks like all offers have failed as of this writing in early February, 2009.Will Olympic Airlines Tickets be Accepted on Pantheon?
It has not been announced whether any Olympic tickets will be accepted on Pantheon. Ideally, ticketing on Olympic Airlines will cease and new tickets will be issued on Pantheon. However, those who book a long way ahead may want to make sure their tickets will be used before the final flights of Olympic Airlines.As a private company, Aegean Airlines seems to be taking over as the Greek airline of choice for international flights. Aegean will also be competing with Pantheon on some of the more popular flights to the Greek islands.
More on Flying to Greece Check for flights on many airlines to Greece on Kayak: Kayak Flights to Greece
For other recent experiences on Olympic Airlines, check my updated review
