The Greek government seeks to modernize the country’s air navigation systems after the major blackout on January 4, thus without spending any money. It asks, instead, for donations from the private sector.
Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority will proceed with the procurement and installation of a modern Voice Communication & Recording System (VCRS) for the Athens and Macedonia Air Control Centers, which manage the country’s entire airspace (FIR/UIR/FIR ATHENS).
The decision comes two weeks after a major blackout in communication between air traffic controllers and pilots that left thousands of passengers stranded at Greek airports on January 4, 2026.
The procurement has been initiated by Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Christos Dimas, who is hoping for donations for the modernization project.
Dimas has reportedly invited the two airport managing companies “Athens International Airport SA”, “Fraport Greece”, the airlines Aegean Airlines and Sky Express as well as construction GEK TERNA Group to fund the 4.7 million euros project, including VAT, covering the immediate supply and installation of the systems.
“The government is committed to rapidly modernizing air navigation systems, and this initiative demonstrates our willingness to act swiftly,” Dimas said.
He explained that “the option of a private-sector donation was made possible by the October 2025 law converting the Civil Aviation Authority into a public legal entity, and the December 2025 institutional framework for donations to public entities. I would like to thank all contributing companies for supporting this critical upgrade to Greek air navigation services.”
PS If nothing else, this is at least “ridiculous”! You are a country whose passengers traffic recorded an increase of 4.9% – 83,333,571 passengers – in 2025, you receive millions of euros year in, year out from the EU and you don’t want to pay to upgrade your outdated and dangerous air navigation systems and secure the safety of millions of domestic and foreign tourists.
Directly tourism provides 13% of Greek GDP and indirectly 30%. That tourism depends heavily on air transport. If one major accident was attributed to a poor air traffic control system, i.e. something the government can easily fix, I wonder what it would do to those figures?