Flight delays and strikes

According to nationwide media, delays are expected for the weekend as air traffic controllers decided to faithfully follow the regulations of Eurocontrol for air traffic. As weekends are always busy with incoming tourist traffic, delays will certainly occur.
Moreover, the air traffic controllers decided for a 24 hours strike on Saturday 24 September as well as a 4 hour work halt for Wednesday 28 September.
Stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE 20/9/2011
Although not official yet, the above mentioned industrial action by atc will most probably be declared by the courts as illegal.
BUT
There was announced a general strike for 6 October and air traffic controllers will probably join it. In such kind of strikes courts have no authority so if atc joins flight disruprions are inevitable.
We will keep you updated.

UPDATE 21/9/2011

Without any public announcement so far, air traffic controllers decided to participate in tomorrow's industrial action organized by public servants' unions. Their action will be in the form of a 3 hour work halt between 12:30 and 15:30 (local time).
Verified information suggest that the work halt will be valid only for Athens based civil aviation services affecting thus Athens Airport and that all regional airports will operate normally. Mostly domestic traffic via Athens will suffer from alterations/cancellations as well as international traffic from/to Athens. International traffic for the rest of Greece will be served normally, maybe with some delays.
FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS FOR THU 22 SEPTEMBER
DOMESTIC AIRLINES
Aegean Airlines (cancellations full list, alterations full list) 
Cancells: -
Alters schedule: A3202/203 Athens-Rhodes-Athens
A3661/664 Athens-Rhodes-Athens-Milan

Olympic Air (full list)
Cancells: OA710/711 Athens-Rhodes-Athens
Alters schedule: OA706/707 Athens-Rhodes-Athens  
OA870/871 Thessaloniki-Rhodes-Thessaloniki
OA090/091 Rhodes-Karpathos-Kasos-Sitia-Kasos-Karpathos-Rhodes
OA092/093 Rhodes-Karpathos-Rhodes
OA026/027 Rhodes-Kastelorizo-Rhodes 

UPDATE 23/9/2011
The originally announced Saturday strike seems to have changed to Sunday but little luck is given as most probably by today (Friday) afternoon it will be stopped by the courts. Same applies for the work halt announced for 28 September. Please note that it won't be a surprise if flight delays occur, especially on Sunday.

Good news though end here as firstly ADEDY (Supreme Administrative Council of Greek Civil Servants) has called for strikes on 5 and 19 October (ADEDY can't be stopped by the courts) and secondly taxis are preparing for a 48 hours strike during next week.

UPDATE II 23/9/2011

No strike for Sunday as the courts have ruled it illegal. Nontheless, delays should be expected.

We will keep you updated as for next week there is a work halt scheduled by air traffic controllers as well as a 48 hours strike by taxis.

Latest News #2

Olympic Air officially announced today the codeshare agreement with Dutch carrier KLM. Rhodes is now accessible from Amsterdam and 8 more cities via a combination of KLM & OA flights.


This agreement entitles the airlines to market flights between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos for connecting traffic under each others flight numbers.
On September 12th, this code share agreement has been further enhanced, offering 8 destinations to KLM passengers in the Greek domestic market & 8 European destinations to Olympic Air passengers. KLM passengers will be able book a KLM flight between Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” and Alexandroupoli, Santorini, Chania, Heraklion, Ioannina, Kos, Rhodes, Thessaloniki, for connecting services operated by Olympic Air. Olympic Air passengers will be able to connect at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for flights to Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Goteborg, Hamburg, Manchester, Oslo & Stockholm under an Olympic Air flight number.

For the full press release, please click here.

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During a press conference held yesterday, it was stated that Rhodes officials are very close in signing a deal with a low-cost carrier (not Ryanair) for the immediate commencement of winter flights.
This was great news following the disappointment and frustration caused by Ryanair and Arkia withdrawals for the winter period.

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Low-cost carrier Easyjet is to offer passengers in-flight entertainment for the first time, with personal TVs available on selected flights for £7.50.
We sure hope that the service will succeed and expand covering Rhodes flights from the UK.
For more, please read the full story released in Business Traveller.com.

Thomson Airways Routes - Summer 2012

Thomson routes for 2012 include one new UK airport, Edinburgh, while some small scale changes are observed in frequencies. BHX and LGW get an additional weekly flight and LTN loses one weekly frequency that shifts to STN which now offers two weekly flights.

BIRMINGHAM (BHX) - RHODES (valid 4/4 - 3/11)

Outward Flight: BHX-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM7322	08:00	14:05	*	We	4/4-25/4
TOM7322	07:00	13:05	*	We	2/5-3/11
TOM7364	13:50	19:55	*	We	6/6-26/9
TOM7644	14:55	21:00	*	Sa	2/5-3/11
Return Flight: RHO-BHX
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM7323	15:05	17:25	*	We	4/4-25/4
TOM7323	14:05	16:25	*	We	2/5-3/11
TOM7365	20:55	23:15	*	We	6/6-26/9
TOM7645	22:00	00:20	*	Sa	2/5-3/11

BOURNEMOUTH (BOH) - RHODES (valid 5/5 - 3/11)

Outward Flight: BOH-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM6624	14:55	20:55	*	Sa
Return Flight: RHO-BOH
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM6625	21:55	00:05	*	Sa

BRISTOL (BRS) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 31/10)

Outward Flight: BRS-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM6358	17:55	00:05	*	We
Return Flight: RHO-BRS
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM6359	01:00	03:15	*	Th

CARDIFF (CWL) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 31/10)

Outward Flight: CWL-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM6382	14:45	20:55	*	We
Return Flight: RHO-CWL
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM6383	21:50	00:05	*	We

DONCASTER/SHEFFIELD (DSA) - RHODES (valid 2/5 -31/10)

Outward Flight: DSA-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM3300	07:00	13:00	*	We
Return Flight: RHO-DSA
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM3301	14:00	16:20	*	We

EAST MIDLANDS (EMA) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 3/11)

Outward Flight: EMA-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM7338	13:45	19:45	*	We
TOM7646	16:20	22:20	*	Sa
Return Flight: RHO-EMA
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM7339	20:45	22:55	*	We
TOM7647	23:20	01:30	*	Sa

NEW: EDINBURGH (EDI) - RHODES (valid 30/5 - 31/10)

Outward Flight: EDI-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM1348	15:40	22:05	*	We	30/5-12/9
TOM1348	07:05	13:30	*	We	19/9-31/10
Return Flight: RHO-EDI
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM1349	23:05	01:45	*	We
TOM1349	14:30	17:10	*	We

GLASGOW (GLA) - RHODES (valid 5/5 - 27/10)

Outward Flight: GLA-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM1696	16:55	23:20	*	Sa
Return Flight: RHO-GLA
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM1697	00:20	03:00	*	Su

LONDON GATWICK (LGW) - RHODES (valid 4/4 - 3/11)

Outward Flight: LGW-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM4364	07:00	13:00	*	We	4/4-31/10
TOM4372	17:35	23:35	*	We	2/5-31/10
TOM4330	13:50	19:50	*	We	30/5-26/9
TOM4660	15:55	21:55	*	Sa	2/5-31/10
TOM4688	19:55	01:55	*	Sa	2/6-27/10
TOM4660	13:10	19:10	*	Sa	3/11-3/11
Return Flight: RHO-LGW
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM4365	14:00	16:10	*	We	4/4-31/10
TOM4331	20:50	23:00	*	We	30/5-26/9
TOM4373	00:35	02:45	*	Th	3/5-1/11
TOM4661	22:55	01:05	*	Sa	3/5-1/11
TOM4661	14:00	16:10	*	Sa	3/11-3/11
TOM4689	02:55	05:05	*	Su	3/6-28/10

LONDON LUTON (LTN) - RHODES (valid 5/5 - 3/11)

Outward Flight: LTN-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM5642	14:25	20:20	*	Sa
Return Flight: RHO-LTN
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM5643	21:30	23:40	*	Sa

LONDON STANSTED (STN) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 3/11)

Outward Flight: STN-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM5360	20:55	02:50	*	We
TOM5644**	15:45	21:40	*	Sa
Return Flight: RHO-STN
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM5361	03:50	06:05	*	Th
TOM5645**	21:30	23:40	*	Sa

** Extra flight added between 30/3-27/4, dep. LGW 13:30-arr. RHO 19:25/ dep RHO 20:25-arr. LGW 22:40

MANCHESTER (MAN) - RHODES (valid 4/4 - 3/11)

Outward Flight: MAN-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM2332	07:00	13:10	*	We	4/4-10/10
TOM2332	15:55	22:20	*	We	17/10-31/10
TOM2388	20:20	02:30	*	We	26/5-29/9
TOM2694	14:20	20:30	*	Sa	30/3-27/4
TOM2658	16:40	22:50	*	Sa	5/5-27/10
TOM2694	22:40	04:50	*	Sa	26/5-29/9
Return Flight: RHO-MAN
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM2333	14:25	16:50	*	We	4/4-31/10
TOM2389	23:20	02:00	*	We	17/10-31/10
TOM2333	03:45	06:10	*	Th	26/5-29/9
TOM2695	21:30	23:55	*	Sa	30/3-27/4
TOM2659	23:50	02:15	*	Sa	5/5-27/10
TOM2695	06:05	08:30	*	Su	27/5-30/9

NEWCASTLE (NCL) - RHODES (valid 2/5 - 31/10)

Outward Flight: NCL-RHO
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM1376	13:50	20:00	*	We
Return Flight: RHO-NCL
Flight Nr	Dep.	Arr.	A/C	Frequency	Remarks
TOM1377	21:00	23:25	*	We

For more information and/or reservations, please visit Thomson website.

* Based on Thomson Air official website on 15-17 September 2011. Updated on 9/4/2012.

* Aircraft type not specified. Thomson utilizes a mixed fleet of A320/1s, B733/8s and B752/763s.