Air Business International is not taking the economic problems currently self-evident in Greece lying down. Instead it plans to introduce a helicopter charter initiative for Athens during the winter months.

Aircraft charter coordinator Danae Tsadila says: "There is a major project of re-designing Athens to become a major city destination and in line with this, ABl is organising a co-ordinated project for helicopter sightseeing flights over the city for the first time."

Tsadila believes that Greece may have earned a negative reputation through the media due to its financial recession and concerns regarding the tourist season: "Such projects taking place under these circumstances, and how businesses from the tourism and aviation industries respond to them, could be of interest to the European aviation sector.

"In a time of deep economic recession, Athens must find a different way to solve its problems and claim a place among today's major European cities."

She adds: "Within the framework of its public charitable activity, the Onassis Foundation is responding to the present need for a revitalisation project by funding and organising a European architectural competition for the creation of a new city centre. Supported by the European Union, the objective of this initiative is to improve the everyday life of Athenian citizens. Its main goal is to stop the increasing downgrading and revive the historically and culturally highly valued centre of Athens in a more people-friendly, sustainable place. Apart from increasing the quality of Athenian life, this project will add value to the tourism sector of the city, high-lighting its archeological, historical and cultural heritage."

In line with this project, Air Business International, a company with more than 30 years of experience in the aviation sector in Greece, is aiming to enhance tourism in Athens by organising a coordinated network for helicopter sightseeing tours all over Athens.

"It is well-known that Greek tourism suffers from seasonality," says Tsadila, "being busy during the three summer months from June to August, but with the rest of the year falling into hibernation.

"However, Athens has a lot to offer to its visitors the whole year round, taking also into consideration its mild climate, clear sky and sunshine most of the time, giving the perfect opportunity for helicopter rides all over the city."

Visitors will have the chance to have a panoramic view of the most important monuments of Greek civilisation, such as the Acropolis, the Olympic stadium, Panathinaikon stadium and Lycabetus Hill, as well as of the stunning Athenian coastline in sightseeing flights of 30 minutes or 60 minutes.

For the first time, says ABI, organised sightseeing tours will be at the disposal of any visitors who wish to experience something different.