Politics Behind Athens’ Denial of License to China Airlines

The eleventh-hour cancellation of 18 scheduled flights between Taoyuan and Athens occurs amid closer economic ties between China and the cash-strapped country 

The Taiwan-based China Airlines (CAL) in late May was forced to cancel 18 direct flights to Athens scheduled from June 3 to Oct. 7 after Greek authorities refused to grant it a license. New information suggests that politics may have been behind Athens’ decision. 

On Jan. 26 the carrier announced its operational schedule for a planned seasonal charter service of one direct flight per week between Taoyuan and Athens. The first flight was scheduled for June 3. Since March, CAL had been cooperating with six travel agencies in Taiwan (Lion Travel, Cola Tour, Artisan Tour, South East Travel Service, Phoenix Tours and MITravel) to promote its flights to Athens during that period. 

My article, published today in The News Lens International, continues here.