Greece Airspace Crisis Leaves Thousands Stranded Across Europe

Tue Jan 06 2026 08:31:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A communications failure has disrupted air traffic in Greece, causing widespread cancellations and stranding thousands of travelers across the continent, as authorities scramble to resolve the issue.

A significant communications failure in Greece has led to the closure of its airspace, resulting in major travel disruptions. Passengers are experiencing extensive delays and cancellations, with many flights diverted or returned to their point of origin. The situation could worsen as travelers struggle to secure alternative arrangements before the working week commences.

Thousands of passengers are stranded across Europe following a communications failure that forced Greece to close its airspace, triggering widespread flight cancellations and delays.

Officials are investigating the cause of the disruption, which began on Sunday morning, leading to a suspension of all arrivals and departures. Only limited departures have resumed, while inbound flights are being instructed to divert or return to their origins. Athens' main airport is heavily impacted, with Thessaloniki airport completely shut down.

The timing of this disruption has raised concerns among travelers who fear they might not return home in time for the upcoming workweek.

I was supposed to fly to London, via Stockholm, with SAS, stated a passenger at Athens International Airport. “I’m working at Newport Hospital tomorrow morning. I don’t know what else to say; I won’t be there on time.”

Over 90 flights have been affected at Athens airport alone. While some flights are now permitted to take off, inbound flights are still largely grounded. A staff member indicated that only 35 aircraft per hour are being cleared for takeoff, while inbound flights remain banned.

Many passengers, including those departing from cities like Dublin and Barcelona, have faced orders to return to their original departure points, with flights from Copenhagen and Malta entirely canceled. Other flights have been redirected to different countries, and arrivals to other Greek airports are also experiencing delays.

With the winter holiday season concluding, Athens airport typically handles over 600 scheduled flights daily, and the lack of information has exacerbated the frustration of many passengers. Reports are emerging of passengers lacking updates about their flights, leading to significant anxieties and complaints.

The radio failure affecting air traffic control communications is suspected to stem from an antenna issue in the Gerania Mountains. Greece's air traffic controllers have noted the sudden loss of all radio frequencies used for flight operations.

Italy, Turkey, and Cyprus are stepping up to assist Greece in managing this critical situation as authorities work diligently to restore normal air traffic operations.