Thessaloniki Airport is completely closed and Greece’s airspace has been disrupted due to communication failures, causing widespread flight cancellations and delays for thousands of passengers across Europe. Authorities are investigating the cause of the interruption, which occurred on a busy travel Sunday. While some departing flights have resumed, arriving flights continue to be diverted or returned to their points of departure, heavily impacting Athens’ main airport.
More than 90 flights were initially affected, with many still in limbo; some airlines ordered flights from Dublin, Barcelona, and Paris to return home, while others were canceled. Passengers reported a lack of information, adding to their frustration as they attempted to reach their destinations. Domestic travelers may consider using Greece’s rail network, which would significantly extend travel time.
The issue appears to be related to a malfunction in the air traffic control radio communication system. Greek air traffic controllers have indicated that communication frequencies were suddenly lost, with an initial investigation suggesting a malfunctioning antenna in the Gerania Mountains as a potential cause. Italy, Türkiye, and Cyprus are providing assistance to manage the situation.
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