The recent communication blackout at Athens Airport on Sunday, January 4, 2026, has thrust Greece’s air traffic safety deficiencies back into the spotlight, prompting renewed scrutiny from the European Commission. Despite ongoing legal action against Greece since 2020 for non-compliance with EU air traffic safety requirements, the incident highlights persistent issues that Athens has seemingly ignored.
A History of Warnings Unheeded
For years, the Greek government and its relevant ministries have been criticized for neglecting warnings regarding air traffic safety. Opposition parties, such as the KKE, and air traffic controllers themselves have repeatedly raised concerns about outdated equipment, understaffing, and a general disregard for EU regulations. However, these warnings appear to have fallen on deaf ears, with the official stance often being that “everything was going perfectly.”
The European Commission initiated legal proceedings against Greece in 2020 for failing to implement critical air traffic safety requirements. These include non-compliance with Regulation 29/2009 concerning data link services and communication security for air traffic control units. Greece has also received a new warning from the Commission to comply with the Court’s decision. Furthermore, infringement procedures have been launched for the non-implementation of Executive Regulations 1048/2018 and 1139/2018 regarding performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures at Greek airports. Another infringement procedure concerns the failure to implement required aircraft identification technology, which ensures more accurate tracking of aircraft, as defined in Executive Regulation 373/2017.
The Blackout: A Catalyst for Action?
The Sunday blackout, however, appears to be a turning point. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the newly appointed Commissioner, is now tasked with addressing these critical issues. This incident, which could have led to a “Tempi of the air” (a reference to a tragic train collision in Greece), has intensified pressure on Athens to provide explanations and take concrete steps towards modernizing its air traffic control systems.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, in response to criticism from Ryanair, outlined a comprehensive Action Plan in September 2025 for the modernization of air traffic control, to be completed by 2028. This plan, developed in collaboration with European bodies such as DG MOVE, EASA, and EUROCONTROL, includes 364 individual actions organized into seven pillars. These pillars focus on monitoring and coordination, data link services development, upgrading the central Air Traffic Management (ATM)/DPS system (TopSky ATC One), implementing Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), installing new Mode S radars, fully implementing CP1 Regulation, and transforming the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA).
Immediate actions highlighted by the Ministry include the installation of eight new radar systems with Mode-S capability at a cost of 53.6 million euros and the addition of an extra radar at Andravida to improve coverage. Furthermore, there are plans to strengthen personnel with new air traffic controllers and other critical specialists, with 72 controllers and 100 other employees to be hired in 2026, following a first competition completed in April 2025. Procedures are also underway for the recruitment of 43 ATSEP specialists and 28 AFISO for regional airports.
Political Reactions and Future Outlook
The European team of SYRIZA has consistently highlighted the government’s inaction despite repeated warnings from air traffic controllers and air safety electronic engineers about significant gaps in flight safety and equipment at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” and regional airports. They accuse the Greek government of systematically violating legislation and ignoring EU measures against the risk of aviation accidents. They emphasize that surveillance equipment remains obsolete, lacking spare parts, and the procurement of new equipment is unjustifiably delayed. Staff shortages remain immense, forcing controllers to work in exhausting conditions. SYRIZA has pledged to take new initiatives and re-raise the issue with the Commission, stressing the serious risks and the urgent need for Greece to comply with European legislation on air transport safety.
The ongoing situation raises critical questions about Greece’s commitment to air traffic safety and its ability to manage its aviation infrastructure effectively. The pressure from the EU and airlines like Ryanair, which reported over 5,000 flight delays and more than 900,000 affected passengers in 2025 due to mismanagement and understaffing of Greek ATC, underscores the urgency of the matter. [dnews.gr](https://www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/business-news/547678/kathysteriseis-ptiseon-sto-eleftherios-venizelos-ti-lene-aegean-kai-ryanair) [euronews.com](https://gr.euronews.com/travel/2025/08/21/ryanair-vs-eu-commission-kai-aerodromiou-eleftherios-venizelos-gia-kathisteriseis)
The coming months will reveal whether the recent blackout serves as a true catalyst for comprehensive change or if Greece will continue to face infringement procedures and the looming threat of further incidents.
Source: [dnews.gr](https://www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/pliroforiodotis/565425/eksigiseis-athinas-se-tzitzikosta-gia-tin-asfaleia-stis-aerometafores), [euro2day.gr](https://www.euro2day.gr/news/economy/article/2316556/pos-apantaei-to-ypoyrgeio-metaforon-stis-kathgorie.html), [thepressproject.gr](https://thepressproject.gr/eyroomada-syriza-para-tis-proeidopoiiseis-gia-ta-kena-stin-asfaleia-ton-aerometaforon-i-kyvernisi-paramenei-apathis/), [greece.representation.ec.europa.eu](https://greece.representation.ec.europa.eu/news/i-eyropaiki-epitropi-egkrinei-tis-diadikasies-epi-parabasei-toy-maioy-2025-05-07_el)
