Continental Airlines plans to begin daily non-stop flights between New York/Newark and Athens from June 7 subject to government approval.

The new service will provide a link to the capital of Greece from more than 230 cities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

"We look forward to offering travellers something none of our competitors can match award-winning year-round service from New York's only hub airport to Greece, with same-airline, same-terminal connections from cities throughout the Americas," said Jim Compton, Continental's marketing vice president.

Flight CO104 will depart New York/Newark daily at 1730 hrs, arriving in Athens at 1020 hrs the next day. The return flight, CO105, will depart Athens daily at 12:20 hrs, arriving at New York/Newark at 1630 hrs the same day. Flying times will be nine hours 50 minutes eastbound and 11 hours 10 minutes westbound.