FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Covid-19: Health Protocols for Greek Hotels and Flights to Greece Unveiled
Old May 10, 2020 | 12:30 am
  #14  
headingwest
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Originally Posted by the810
I expected worse, to be honest. The test requirement is likely to be here for quite some time for many destinations. It will make holiday slightly more expensive, but if I opt for Greece, I will be saving money just by the fact that I'm going to Greece (I normally prefer northern Europe in summer). That being said, I have an advantage of living in a location where getting a test is actually pretty easy (and my base airport even offers them right across the terminal). This may be different in other countries.
There is no face mask requirement, which is already better than many European airlines these days in terms of comfort (unless Aegan or whoever I fly with decides to introduce that rule on their own). For me this is a crucial thing.
The uncertainty factor can be solved if the travel industry reacts by offering fairly cheap flexible tickets and room rates for the season (or at least offering refunds for those who test positive). It's not like they're likely to run full hotels and flights anyway.

What I find important is that they didn't add too much nuisance to travel (personally, I consider test to be more of an administrative burden), so there is some motivation for people to travel. I was afraid they will make the experience so annoying, it just won't be worth it. For me Greece remains on the list for possible summer escapes (though in my case it would most likely be some of major cities rather than resorts, so a lot depends on how will Athens or Thesaloniki look at the time).
I'm not sure if the airport you were referring to as your base is BTS or VIE, but those tests at VIE cost 190. Not a small amount, and If someone is travelling with a partner or family, that's a considerable price to pay to be able to fly - potentially more than doubling the cost of the journey. I just don't think that many people are going to do it.

https://www.viennaairport.com/pcrtest

I think this is the year that people will learn that it is possible to actually have a reasonable holiday in their home country.
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