With the rapid spread of COVID-19, thousands of expatriates are currently stranded abroad following travel restrictions and border closures.
Eighty-four Russian citizens and members of their families stranded in Athens, today returned home (to Moscow) via a special Aegean Airlines flight.
The repatriation was coordinated by the Russian Embassy in Greece and Greek authorities.
“We warmly thank the Greek authorities, the @aegeanairlines , Goldair Handling and @ATH_airport for their full support and invaluable assistance in repatriating 84 Russian residents to their homeland on a special flight #Μόσχα – #Αθήνα,” the Russian Embassy in Greece tweeted.
“We are grateful to the Greek authorities for prompt assistance in resolving organizational issues,” they added.
This was preceded by the return of 143 Greek citizens who were stranded in Russia.
Ευχαριστούμε θερμά τις Ελληνικές Αρχές, την @aegeanairlines, την εταιρεία Goldair Handling και το @ATH_airport για την αμέριστη συμπαράσταση και την ανεκτίμητη συνδρομή στον επαναπατρισμό των 84 κατοίκων της Ρωσίας στην πατρίδα τους με ειδική πτήση #Μόσχα – #Αθήνα. pic.twitter.com/zZyMx8iEWQ
— Rus Embassy, Greece (@RFEmbassyGr) April 27, 2020