Following the launch in July of Air France’s link between Paris and Zakynthos, airport operator Fraport Greece has teamed up with the French carrier to actively support the ARCHELON non-profit association to protect sea turtles and their habitat on the Ionian island.

Zakynthos is the sixth destination among the 14 regional airports operated by Fraport Greece – following Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini and Mykonos – directly linked by Air France to the french capital.

Jointly established with Air France, Fraport Greece’s support for the turtle conservation project provides for a sponsorhip programme that covers the expenses of six volunteers in order to support actions for raising awareness of visitors to ARCHELON beaches and hotels, through further strengthening of the existing team of researchers and volunteers.

Since the early 1980s ARCHELON has had a continuous presence in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, carrying out research activities related to monitoring and protecting sea turtle reproduction, while systematic nest counts started in 1984. The aim is to cultivate responsible tourism, which will lead to limiting the impacts of tourism on the environment, ensuring a sustainable future for sea turtles in Zakynthos.

Fraport Greece’s Executive Director, Commercial & Business Development, George Vilos, stated: “We are particularly pleased that airlines of Air France’s calibre are developing and expanding their presence at Greece’s 14 regional airports. Son, on the occasion of the new direct flights between Paris and Zakynthos, which started in early July, we are very pleased to announce our partnership with Air France in support of the work carried out by ARCHELON. It should be noted that this initiative is fully in line with Fraport Greece’s central strategic priority of promotion of sustainable development, protection of the environment and implementation of actions that benefit the local communities where we are active.”

Meanwhile, Yiannis Pantazopoulous, Regional Director of Air France- KLM, added: “We are very proud to support the awareness programme of ARCHELON in collaboration with Fraport Greece on the island of Zakynthos. Such initiatives, in addition to helping the environment, which is our main goal, also inspire more people to make more sustainable choices. Endangered species protection should raise awareness among both locals and visitors. All of us, as travellers, must respect the areas we visit and the environment we live in and during our holidays.”

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