The Greek Civil Aviation Authority canceled and postponed flights at several airports on Sunday due to an “unprecedented” technical failure that caused a radio frequency outage in the airspace.
At Athens’ main Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, passengers lined up in long queues due to disruptions in domestic and international flights.
The first reports of the radio frequency outage came around 07:00 GMT. According to the information office at Athens Airport, which handled 31.6 million passengers in the first 11 months of 2025, “no aircraft landed or took off for at least two hours.”
Aircraft Diverted to Turkey
Most aircraft heading to Greek airports were diverted to Turkey for up to three hours.
Air traffic gradually began to resume from 11:00 GMT, according to authorities. The head of the Greek Air Traffic Controllers’ Union, Panayiotis Psaros, described the incident as “very serious,” attributing responsibility to what he described as “outdated” equipment at the airport.
Greece
Greece is a southeastern European country widely regarded as the cradle of Western civilization, being the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games. Its rich history spans ancient city-states like Athens and Sparta, the Hellenistic period following Alexander the Great, and periods under Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman rule before gaining independence in the 19th century. The country is famed for its numerous archaeological sites, including the Acropolis in Athens and the sanctuary of Delphi.
Athens
Athens is the capital of Greece and one of the world’s oldest cities, with a recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. It was the heart of ancient Greek civilization, a powerful city-state, and the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the dramatic arts in the 5th century BCE. The city’s most iconic landmark, the Acropolis, stands as a testament to its classical golden age.
Eleftherios Venizelos Airport
Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is the primary international airport serving Athens, Greece, named after the prominent early 20th-century statesman Eleftherios Venizelos. It opened in 2001 to replace the older Hellenikon Airport and is a major aviation hub in southeastern Europe.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a rich history as the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its cultural landscape is defined by iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which has served as a cathedral, mosque, and museum, reflecting the country’s layered historical and religious heritage.
