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September 19, 2009
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Olympic Airlines Ends New York Service September 28th, Catch Them While You Can

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By: Matt Molnar
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An Olympic A340 on final for JFK. Photo by Matt Molnar.
An Olympic A340 on final for JFK. Photo by Matt Molnar.
An Olympic A340 on final for JFK. Photo by Matt Molnar.

Olympic Airlines' A340-313X SX-DFD ''Epidaurus'' on final for JFK’s Runway 31R. (Photo by Matt Molnar)

Following over four decades of service, the impending transformation of Olympic Airlines into a new venture called Olympic Air will spell the end of the Greek flag carrier’s Athens-New York route, as well as all other long haul routes. September 28th marks Olympic Airlines’ last day, with Olympic Air commencing operations on September 29th.

Olympic began flying ATH-JFK nonstop upon delivery of their first 707, named “City of Athens,” in 1966.

As part of the carrier’s transition from public to private ownership, the new airline will not lease the four government-owned Airbus A340-300 aircraft Olympic Airlines currently uses for long-haul ops to New York, Toronto and Johannesburg. In addition, all 16 of Olympic Airlines’ 737s will be replaced by 16 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft cobbled together from various airlines, and several other types are being reduced or eliminated. A number of destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa will also be eliminated.

Olympic Air will fill the hole in US service by implementing a codeshare on Delta’s JFK-Athens flights.