The Impact of the Coronavirus on the Air Transport and Tourism Sectors under the European and Greek Legal Frameworks Evanthia Kardoulia1 I. Introduction; II. Air Transport; II.1. EU Legal Framework Regarding Passengers’ Rights in Case of Flights Cancellations; II.2. Current Greek Legal Framework Regarding Passengers’ Rights in Case of Flight Cancellations; III. Package Travel; III.1. EU Legal Framework Regarding Travellers’ Rights in Case of Termination of the Package Travel Contract; III.2. Current Greek Legal Framework Regarding Travellers’ Rights in Case of Termination of the Package Travel Contract; IV. Conclusion. I. INTRODUCTION Coronavirus has evolved from a regional issue in China into a global “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” with a significant number of cases being recorded at an international and European level2. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) a global pandemic3. The COVID-19 has spread to most parts of the world, significantly disrupting public life, including the travel, tourism and aviation industry, which is one of several industry sectors currently under enormous pressure. The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), taking into account the unparalleled introduction of travel restrictions across the world, estimates that international tourist arrivals will be down by 20% to 30%, in 2020, when 1 Dr. Evanthia Kardoulia; Attorney at Law; Ph.D. in Tourism Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; LL.M. in Tourism Law, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. 2 World Health Organisation, Coronavirus disease 2020. Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), 24 April 2020. Available in: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-asthey-happen (accessed on 24/04/2020). 3 World Health Organisation, WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19, 11 March 2020. Available in: https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-openingremarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19---11-march-2020 (accessed on 14/04/2020).
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