A communications failure in Greek airspace on Sunday morning led to the temporary suspension of air traffic, resulting in widespread flight cancellations and delays across Europe. The incident significantly affected operations at airports within Greece and caused disruptions for flights originating from multiple European cities. Officials have initiated an investigation into the cause of the breakdown in air traffic radio communications.
Overview of the Incident
On Sunday morning, Greek airspace experienced a communications failure involving air traffic radio systems. This malfunction prompted a temporary halt to both arrivals and departures across the country. An investigation into the cause of the disruption is underway.
Operational Impact in Greece
Initially, all air traffic in Greece was suspended. Athens International Airport was significantly affected, with over 90 flights impacted by the disruption. Thessaloniki Airport implemented a complete closure.
Subsequently, some outbound flights were permitted to resume. From Athens Airport, approximately 35 aircraft per hour were cleared for departure. However, inbound flight operations remained suspended, with incoming aircraft either being diverted to alternative airports or instructed to return to their points of origin.
Broader European Effects
The disruption extended across Europe, impacting flights from various cities. Specific effects included:
- Flights originating from Dublin, Barcelona, and Paris were ordered to return to their respective departure airports.
- Services from Copenhagen and Malta were canceled outright.
- Incoming flights destined for Athens were placed on standby.
- Other Greek airports also reported disruptions; for instance, three flights from Heraklion Airport on Crete, including one bound for Munich, experienced delays.
- Most inbound flights that were not canceled were rerouted to Turkey.
Passenger Disruptions
Passengers traveling across Europe encountered significant disruptions to their schedules as a result of the incident, preventing them from reaching their intended destinations as planned.