Greek Probe Opens After Flights Grounded During Air Traffic Radio Blackout
January 5, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1767621716757-1718
An investigation has been launched after flights in Greece were grounded due to a national air traffic communications blackout on January 5, 2025. According to eKathimerini, the probe will be led by the police’s electronic crime team which will look at whether the offence of dangerous interference with aircraft transportation has been committed. Shutterstock The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) explained that a ’noise’ over radio frequencies resulted in the country’s airspace being temporarily closed. Thousands of passengers were left stranded following the airspace closure on what is traditionally a very busy day for commercial travel.
Key Takeaways
- Flights in Greece were grounded due to a national air traffic communications blackout.
- The blackout impacted almost all frequencies of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR).
- Airlines including Aegean Airlines, British Airways, Ryanair and Scandinavian Airlines were forced to cancel or divert flights.
- The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority explained that a ’noise’ over radio frequencies resulted in the country’s airspace being temporarily closed.
Strategic Implications
This incident may indicate vulnerabilities in Greece’s air navigation systems. The blackout could suggest inadequate backup systems or insufficient training for air traffic controllers, which could have serious consequences for aviation safety and security.