New Delhi, January 4: Airports across Greece suspended all flight operations on Sunday following a major technical failure in the nation’s air traffic control radio frequencies. The disruption, which began early Sunday morning, led to the immediate grounding of aircraft nationwide and left thousands of travelers stranded at major hubs, including Athens International Airport.

Nationwide Operational Halt

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) issued an emergency "zero rate" directive, effectively a total stop on takeoffs and landings, after a malfunction was detected in the communication systems of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR). The failure specifically impacted the central radio frequency systems at the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Centers, which are responsible for coordinating air traffic throughout Greek airspace. Greece Abolishes Long Study Breaks, Removes Over 3 Lakh Inactive Students From Universities.

By 9:00 a.m. local time, departure boards at airports across the country turned red as airlines were forced to cancel or indefinitely delay flights. While authorities permitted aircraft already in the air to land under emergency manual procedures, most incoming international flights were diverted to neighbouring countries, including Cyprus and Italy. Poland: Warsaw Airport Closed, NATO Jets Activated After Russian Drones Breach Airspace During Ukraine Strikes.

Impact on Travellers and Airspace

Live flight-tracking data showed a stark scene as the Greek FIR, typically one of the busiest corridors linking Europe to the Middle East and North Africa, suddenly emptied. At Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens, terminals quickly became overcrowded with passengers seeking information.

The disruption rippled beyond Greece's borders. The Israel Airports Authority reported that the closure would affect schedules at Ben Gurion Airport, advising passengers to expect significant delays. Similarly, Hermes Airports in Cyprus reported that several flights between Larnaca, Paphos, and Athens had been canceled or rerouted.

Technical Investigation Underway

The HCAA confirmed that technical teams are working alongside external telecommunications experts to identify the root cause of the frequency failure. In an official statement, the authority emphasized that the restrictions were a necessary safety measure to prevent mid-air communication lapses.

"In order to fully ensure flight safety, restrictions have been imposed at Greek airports," the HCAA stated, adding that while some high-altitude overflights were still being serviced, the primary focus remains on restoring the ground-to-air communication network.

Current Status

As of Sunday afternoon, no official timeline for the restoration of services has been provided. Major carriers, including Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air, have urged passengers not to head to airports without first confirming their flight status online. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with further updates expected as engineers attempt to bring the radio systems back online.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2026 05:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).