Widespread Flight Disruptions in Greece Due to Radio Frequency Failures

On January 4, 2026, flights across Greece were grounded for several hours following a significant disruption in air traffic communications caused by a collapse of radio frequencies. The incident began at 8:59 a.m. local time (0659 GMT), leading to a precautionary shutdown of Greek airspace and stranding thousands of travelers during a peak holiday travel period. The Greek civil aviation authority reported that an indeterminate "noise" interfered with radio channels, although the exact cause remains unclear.

Some flights in Greece resume after air traffic radio collapseAl Jazeera (website)UsNews and World ReportThe HinduRadio frequency failure paralyzes air traffic in Greece, thousands of passengers strandedThe Straits TimesBBC NewsDW NewsAir Traffic Control Issue Disrupts Flights Across Greece, Operations Gradually RestoredFrance 24

The disruption affected major airports, including Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and Thessaloniki Airport, which was closed entirely. By late afternoon, limited services resumed as pilots switched to backup frequencies, allowing approximately 45 flights to depart every hour. However, inbound flights continued to face significant delays, with many being diverted to neighboring countries or returning to their points of origin. Reports indicated that over 90 flights were impacted at Athens airport alone, with travelers expressing frustration over the lack of information and support from airlines.

BBC NewsRadio frequency failure paralyzes air traffic in Greece, thousands of passengers strandedThe HinduAir Traffic Control Issue Disrupts Flights Across Greece, Operations Gradually RestoredThe Straits TimesSome flights in Greece resume after air traffic radio collapseUsNews and World ReportAl Jazeera (website)DW NewsFrance 24

Christos Dimas, Greece's infrastructure and transport minister, stated that the incident did not compromise flight safety. The Air Traffic Controllers Association described the breakdown as "unprecedented and unacceptable," emphasizing the vulnerability of the aging air traffic control systems. Panagiotis Psarros, the association's president, noted that the failure affected all frequencies used on the ground and some used by the Athens Approach unit, which manages aircraft operations in and out of Athens.

Some flights in Greece resume after air traffic radio collapse

Critics have pointed to the aging infrastructure of Greece's air traffic control systems as a contributing factor to the incident. Psarros highlighted that the systems should have been replaced years ago, raising concerns about the overall safety and reliability of air traffic management in Greece. Travelers expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation, questioning who would bear the costs of additional travel expenses incurred due to the disruptions.

The Straits Times

While most sources agree on the timeline and nature of the disruption, there are discrepancies regarding the number of flights affected and the duration of the complete shutdown. Some reports indicate that operations were gradually restored by the afternoon, while others suggest that significant delays continued into the evening. Additionally, the cause of the radio frequency failure remains under investigation, with no definitive conclusions drawn as of yet.

Some flights in Greece resume after air traffic radio collapse

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the radio frequency disruptions in collaboration with external providers. Further updates are expected as operations normalize and the civil aviation authority works to ensure the reliability of air traffic communications moving forward.

Air Traffic Control Issue Disrupts Flights Across Greece, Operations Gradually Restored