ATHENS, January 5 – A technical issue that led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across Greek airspace yesterday, January 4, has been successfully resolved, according to statements from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Flights are operating normally today, though some residual delays are expected due to the backlog from yesterday’s disruptions.
Minister Dimas: Flight Safety Unaffected, Full Clarification Underway
Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, confirmed that the technical problem, which affected some frequencies serving the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR), did not compromise flight safety. He emphasized that the Ministry has been in immediate cooperation with all relevant stakeholders since the problem’s onset to fully clarify its causes.
“The technical issue that occurred yesterday morning on some of the frequencies serving the needs of the Athens FIR did not affect flight safety in any way and has now been resolved, according to the information provided by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA),” stated Minister Dimas. He further detailed the swift response, noting that “as soon as the problem was detected, the prescribed procedures were activated both for the safe conduct of flights, in cooperation with EUROCONTROL, and for addressing the issue at a technical level.”
Measures taken included inspections of all regional transmission and reception system units by the HCAA electronics team. Additionally, an HCAA-equipped aircraft, carrying HCAA electronics personnel and a technical expert from the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT), was urgently deployed to check the frequency spectrum. [tornosnews.gr](https://tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/55067-the-technical-problem-at-the-athens-fir-is-being-gradually-restored-%E2%80%93-announcements-by-aegean-and-sky-express.html)
Urgent Preliminary Investigation Launched
Following the significant disruption, the head of the Athens Public Prosecutor’s Office, Aristeidis Koreas, has ordered an urgent preliminary investigation into the incident. The investigation, to be conducted by the cybercrime department, will examine whether the offense of dangerous interference with aircraft operations occurred and seek to identify the source of the disruptions across nearly all frequencies of the Athens FIR. This highlights the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident, especially given the potential impact on critical infrastructure.
Impact and Restoration
Yesterday’s technical failure led to the grounding of numerous aircraft and significant delays at Athens International Airport and other regional airports. According to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), the problem concerned the central radio frequency systems of the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Centers. [ekathimerini.com](https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1291513/flights-disrupted-by-technical-issue-at-athens-fir/) The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) confirmed that the issue involved massive interference on nearly all frequencies, an unprecedented incident. [en.protothema.gr](https://en.protothema.gr/2026/01/04/hellenic-civil-aviation-authority-on-athens-fir-massive-interference-on-nearly-all-frequencies-an-unprecedented-incident/)
Airlines such as Aegean and Sky Express had informed passengers of significant reductions in capacity and potential delays or cancellations. Sky Express specifically reported two flight cancellations directly attributable to the FIR problem. [tornosnews.gr](https://tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/55067-the-technical-problem-at-the-athens-fir-is-being-gradually-restored-%E2%80%93-announcements-by-aegean-and-sky-express.html) The disruption was particularly impactful as it occurred during a busy holiday period, with many travelers returning from abroad. [en.protothema.gr](https://en.protothema.gr/2026/01/04/greek-fir-closed-landings-and-takeoffs-at-the-countrys-airports-impossible-due-to-a-technical-issue-with-radio-frequencies/)
Despite the widespread initial chaos, the HCAA, in coordination with external bodies and EUROCONTROL, worked to gradually restore the systems. By yesterday afternoon, a partial resumption of flights had begun, with efforts focused on managing airborne aircraft and safely landing them. [tornosnews.gr](https://tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/55067-the-technical-problem-at-the-athens-fir-is-being-gradually-restored-%E2%80%93-announcements-by-aegean-and-sky-express.html)
Modernization of Air Navigation Systems
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport reiterated its ongoing commitment to upgrading and modernizing air navigation systems. An Action Plan, with a completion horizon of 2028, includes 364 actions across seven main pillars. These pillars cover critical areas such as the development of Data Link services, the upgrade of the air traffic control system (TopSky ATC One), the implementation of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), the development of Mode S radar, and the implementation of CP1 regulation and improvements in Air Traffic Management. This modernization effort is being conducted in coordination with European stakeholders including DG MOVE, EASA, and EUROCONTROL.
While the immediate technical problem has been resolved, the incident underscores the critical importance of robust and modern air traffic control infrastructure for maintaining safe and efficient air travel, especially in a region as vital to tourism as Greece.
Source: [tornosnews.gr](https://www.tornosnews.gr/en/transport/airlines/55093-christos-dimas-full-clarification-of-the-causes-that-led-to-the-technical-problem-in-athens-fir.html), [ekathimerini.com](https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1291513/flights-disrupted-by-technical-issue-at-athens-fir/), [en.protothema.gr](https://en.protothema.gr/2026/01/04/greek-fir-closed-landings-and-takeoffs-at-the-countrys-airports-impossible-due-to-a-technical-issue-with-radio-frequencies/), [greekreporter.com](https://greekreporter.com/2026/01/04/greece-ground-all-flights-fir-technical-failure/), [news.gtp.gr](https://news.gtp.gr/2026/01/04/air-traffic-control-issue-disrupts-flights-across-greece-operations-gradually-restored/)
