Greek-Australian Teacher Launches Patras Airport Campaign

The Sydney based teacher and native of Patra who travels to the Greek city often, became frustrated when the London to Patra route ceased. The Greek-Australian frequent flyer was forced to fly on packed flights. She explained the situation to Neos Kosmos, "I needed the flights because I write and edit for UK publishers, parents needed them to see their children studying in the UK, business people needed them to get to work and ex-pats to visit their family".

Zgouras termed the travels, "These flights were a blessing." After the route ceased, she enacted a campaign to draw awareness on the issue. Little by little, her air mission grew. She commented, "I received lots of help from friends, local businesses and other authority figures but we still didn't get direct flights".

Local politicians contacted the scholar regarding her campaign, for their own electoral desires. Zgouras stated, "(When) the then mayor offered false promises, local authority figures asked me to run with them in the upcoming elections as my campaign was making the news...I obviously refused, because I've learnt that politics here in Greece are about feeding a hungry ego rather than repairing a country's wounds".

Aegean Airlines has now secured a deal with Thompson travel agency to restart the route. However, it will only be implemented one way from London to Patras. Zgouras declared, "When I asked Thompson about it, they said that the Greek side didn't ask for outbound flights. I was furious!"

Zgouras is still ambitious about regaining the direct flight round trip, "It's important to get the airport open again because it will help Patra get back on the map...The Greek people in Patra have shown me great support and so I will continue because we need these flights to introduce growth in a troubled and ailing city", as reported by Neos Kosmos.