Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA/YPA) reported a massive interference of the radio frequencies of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) that led authorities close airports for departure and arrivals across the country on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Describing the interference as of “unprecedented dimensions” the HCAA noted that the phenomenon started at 8:59 a.m. and ended at 17:00 on the same day.
“On 4/1/2026 at 08:59 local time, the Service encountered massive interference on almost all frequencies serving the Athens FIR, while at the same time the HELLAS COM lines as well as the operational communication telephone lines were down. The “noise” observed on the frequencies was in the form of continuous, involuntary emission. The CAA’s electronics (team), in coordination with OTE technicians, made immediate efforts to identify and repair the problem. This is an unprecedented incident in terms of its massiveness, geographical extent and temporal persistence,” the HCAA sais in its statement.
Citing sources, media reported of a ongoing noise that did not allow air traffic controllers to be in contact with pilots and vice versa.
Airplanes that happened to fly in Athens FIR were taken over by FIR controllers of neighboring countries.
One report broadcast earlier by ERT was speaking of a “damaged antenna on the Gerania mountains” in western Attica.
Some news websites expressed suspicion of a cyberattack, right from the beginning.
Nevertheless, authorities continue to investigate the issue.
According to state broadcaster ERT at 9 p.m. on Sunday, the scheduled flights are expected to fully normalize soon.
Air traffic began gradually to be restored in the afternoon, however, several flights have been also cancelled and passengers remain at the airports waiting for news about their scheduled flight.
- If you plan to travel by air in the following hours and days, you better check with the airlines.
KTG reported earlier on the problem HERE.
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