ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Greek Consul General in Erbil on Tuesday expressed gratitude for the launch of direct flights between the Kurdistan Region and Greece, highlighting their significance in advancing bilateral relations.
Nikolaos Stergioulas told Rudaw that he is “pleased” with the new effort, which “marks a crucial step in strengthening the bonds” between Erbil and Athens. “This new route will facilitate travel, business, and cultural exchange, bringing our two people even closer,” Stergioulas added.
The Greek Consul General on Tuesday added that his country is “committed to deepening cooperation” with the Kurdistan Region and looks forward to “increasing the number of [daily] flights” in the future.
One-way flights from Erbil to Athens are available starting at around $190.82, while flights from Baghdad to Athens start at around $179.97.
Notably, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani, made a trip to Athens in June 2021, where he touched on the “long-standing relationship” between Erbil and Athens, and expressed the KRG’s “openness to elevate ties, especially in trade and investment,” read a statement from his office.
In 2022, the Kurdistan Region saw a significant boost in tourism, with approximately 6.17 million visitors, a significant increase from the approximately 4.19 million recorded in 2021, as reported in a January 2023 statement from the KRG.