Air Traffic Control Failure Disrupts Flights in Greece: Cancellations and Diversions
Flights in Greece have faced significant disruptions due to a failure in the air traffic control system. This technical issue has led to widespread cancellations and delays for numerous flights within and to and from the country.
Details of the Disruption
The main Greek airline, Aegean, cancelled dozens of flights, particularly those to and from Athens. The airline reported that the disruption stemmed from a problem affecting the radio frequency systems managed by the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider. This issue began in the early morning and continues to significantly reduce air traffic capacity across Greek airspace.
Flight Cancellations and Diversions
- Flights to Athens have been diverted to:
- Rome
- Dubrovnik
- Passengers traveling to Thessaloniki via SAS were rerouted to Budapest.
- Transavia flights from Amsterdam were diverted to Tirana, Albania.
- A flight from Vilnius to Heraklion in Crete ended up in Larnaca, Cyprus.
One affected passenger, John Berry, expressed concern about returning home, hoping to catch the last flight from Athens organized by Jet2 until February.
Airlines Respond to the Situation
EasyJet informed passengers about their flight cancellations from Manchester to Athens, attributing the disruptions to the air traffic control restrictions as extraordinary circumstances beyond their control. Ryanair also cancelled flights from Athens to various destinations, including Malta, Rome, and Bologna.
Passenger Rights During Disruptions
According to air passenger rights regulations, travelers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to several compensatory measures, including:
- Rebooking on alternative flights to their destinations as soon as possible
- Provision of meals and accommodation until they reach their destination
As the situation develops, the Hellenic Aviation Service Provider has started to gradually restore flight operations, working towards full resolution of the ongoing technical issues.
