Athens, Greece – Athens International Airport (ATH) has been identified as the 17th most ‘stressful’ airport in Europe for travelers, according to a recent international study conducted by iSelect. The analysis, which evaluated 23 high-volume European airports with significant international connections, sheds light on the persistent issue of flight delays across the continent’s aviation network.
Study Highlights Operational Pressures at European Airports
The iSelect study, published yesterday, January 5, 2026, assessed airports based on average departure delays, cancellation rates, and overall impact on passenger stress. Athens International Airport recorded an average departure delay of 20.86 minutes, coupled with a remarkably low cancellation rate of 0.26%. This places ATH in a moderate position within the European context, especially when compared to the top-ranked airports for stress.
Lisbon Airport emerged as the most stressful hub, with average delays exceeding 27 minutes. Other major international airports, including Manchester, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and London Heathrow, also featured prominently in the rankings, underscoring the significant operational challenges faced by even the busiest aviation centers.
Recent Technical Issues in Greek Airspace
The findings of this study gain additional relevance in light of recent technical problems experienced with the radio frequencies of the Greek Flight Information Region (FIR). These issues, occurring prior to the study’s release, caused a temporary ‘freeze’ in arrivals and departures at Greek airports, highlighting the vulnerability of air transport networks to technical malfunctions and their potential impact on the traveler experience. The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and other relevant bodies have been addressing these concerns, with Christos Dimas, a prominent figure, calling for full clarification of the causes.
Despite these challenges, the study’s global perspective indicates that Athens remains a relatively reliable aviation hub. While it ranks 17th in Europe, its international standing is lower, suggesting that delays and cancellations are more pronounced in other global regions, particularly in the U.S. and Asia.
Delays Remain a Structural Issue
The iSelect report emphasizes that flight delays continue to be a structural problem for the aviation industry. This persists despite considerable investments in advanced technology, infrastructure development, and sophisticated traffic management systems. The increasing demand for air travel further accentuates the need for operational reliability, which is a crucial factor for the competitiveness of European airports, including Athens.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also highlighted the growing issue of air traffic control (ATC) delays in Europe, noting a 114% increase in ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management) delays between 2015 and 2024, despite only a 6.7% rise in flight numbers over the same period. Capacity limitations and staff shortages are cited as primary causes, with France and Germany accounting for over 50% of all delays. [iata.org](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2025-releases/2025-12-09-03/) IATA’s report indicates that these delays have cost airlines and passengers an estimated EUR 16.1 billion since 2015, with over 70% linked to capacity and staffing issues. [iata.org](https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/air-traffic-control-delays-in-europe/) Furthermore, EUROCONTROL’s November 2025 report shows that while overall flights increased by 5.2% compared to November 2024, en-route ATFM delays decreased by 20.2%, largely due to a reduction in airport weather delays. [eurocontrol.int](https://www.eurocontrol.int/sites/default/files/2025-12/eurocontrol-network-operations-report-november-2025.pdf)
The EUROCONTROL European Aviation Overview for the week of November 10-16, 2025, also noted that ATC capacity/staffing was the top cause for en-route ATFM delays, particularly in Spain, France, Germany, and Morocco. [eurocontrol.int](https://www.eurocontrol.int/sites/default/files/2025-11/eurocontrol-european-aviation-overview-20251120.pdf) This aligns with the broader concerns about air traffic management across Europe.
As the aviation sector continues to recover and expand, the focus on enhancing operational efficiency and mitigating delays will be paramount for maintaining passenger satisfaction and ensuring the smooth functioning of air travel across Europe.
Source: [tornosnews.gr](https://tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/55099-athens-airport-among-europe%E2%80%99s-most-%E2%80%9Cstressful%E2%80%9D-airports-despite-minimal-cancellations.html)
