Greek President Constantine Tassoulas traveled to Slovenia aboard a military transport aircraft Thursday after a technical malfunction grounded his government jet shortly before takeoff. Tassoulas had been scheduled to depart from the Elefsina military air base, west of Athens, at noon aboard an Embraer jet to attend the annual Arraiolos Group summit in Ljubljana.
The aircraft developed a technical issue before boarding, prompting officials to offer the president an alternative flight aboard a twin-engine C-27 transport aircraft operated by the Hellenic Air Force. Tassoulas agreed and boarded the aircraft with his delegation. The slower military plane completed the journey in two hours and 56 minutes, compared with the one hour and 40 minutes the government jet would have required.
Despite the disruption, Tassoulas arrived in time for an official dinner hosted Thursday evening by Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar.
On Friday, he is attending the Arraiolos Group summit, an annual gathering of EU presidents who hold largely ceremonial rather than executive powers. Discussions are focused on the challenges facing Europe and its strategic preparedness.
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