(ATHENS) A planned Greece Air Traffic Control strike set for August 28, 2025 was canceled late Wednesday after the Athens Court ruled the action illegal, clearing the way for flights to operate on time across the country.
The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority said all services on Thursday will run as planned, with no strike-related delays or cancellations. The decision ends days of worry for travelers, airports, and airlines that had prepared for a four-hour stoppage in the middle of the day.
Court ruling and operational status
The strike, organized by the Greek Air Traffic Controllers’ Union and aligned with a broader public sector protest led by ADEDY, had been scheduled from 09:30 to 13:30 local time on August 28, 2025. On August 27, the Athens Court deemed the action illegal, prompting immediate cancellation and instructions to resume normal operations.
The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) confirmed the ruling and assured passengers that flights would proceed as scheduled. In notices to carriers and airports, HCAA said air traffic services would be fully staffed and that no operational changes were needed for Thursday’s schedules.
Airlines had braced for disruptions during the proposed midday shutdown, which would have impacted departures and arrivals during a peak period for summer travel. With the cancellation, carriers indicated they would operate normally, though some urged customers to check their apps or email for any residual schedule notices.
Why the strike was called
Controllers said the action aimed to highlight safety risks in Greek airspace. Their concerns included:
- Systemic failures and pressure to push more traffic.
- Capacity frequently exceeding the safe limit of 34 arrivals per hour at Athens International Airport.
- A temporary systems collapse on August 20, 2025, which heightened alarm.
The union also opposed a draft government bill that would criminalize “malicious criticism,” saying such a measure could silence warnings about aviation risks. ADEDY folded the controllers’ demands into a wider day of action across state services.
Ryanair renewed its criticism of Greek air traffic control, saying more than 5,000 flights and 900,000 passengers had been delayed in 2025 by ATC issues tied to staff shortages and mismanagement. The carrier placed Greece among the five worst performers in Europe for ATC-linked delays.
Unions counter that staffing and system upgrades have lagged demand and that workers face mounting pressure to lift traffic flows without enough tools or personnel. They argue the canceled strike was meant to focus attention on safety before the autumn travel period.
Key legal moment: on August 27, the Athens Court declared the planned stoppage illegal, forcing the Greek Air Traffic Controllers’ Union to cancel the action and allowing HCAA to notify carriers that operations would continue without changes.
Passenger rights and practical guidance
Because the stoppage would have been caused by air traffic control, not airlines, EU261 cash compensation would not have applied had the strike gone ahead. However, airlines would still have owed a duty of care during long delays, including:
- Meals and refreshments
- Hotel rooms when overnight accommodation was necessary
- Rerouting or refunds if travel became impossible
With Thursday’s flights expected to run on time, travelers should follow these practical steps to stay informed and avoid last‑minute issues:
- Check your airline app or website for updates, even if your flight is currently shown as on time.
- Arrive earlier than usual in case security or check‑in lines are longer than normal after schedule changes.
- If you booked separate tickets for connections, double‑check minimum connection times and consider later links to reduce risk.
- Keep receipts for expenses (meals, hotels) since airlines may require them to reimburse under duty of care rules.
Industry context and next steps
The ruling removes immediate uncertainty for families on holiday, students returning to campuses, and workers heading to time‑sensitive meetings. However, it does not settle the deeper dispute over staffing, systems, and workload. Key points going forward:
- Unions say underlying risks remain and will continue to press for staffing and system upgrades.
- Airlines are pushing for reforms to reduce delays that harm crews, passengers, and the economy.
- The government, through courts and regulators, has signaled it will step in when strike actions are found unlawful.
Industry watchers note that Greek ATC has faced pressure for years, with periodic strikes and overtime disputes set against summer peaks. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests continued friction could prompt new talks on staffing levels, training, and technology in the months ahead.
The broader backdrop is a wave of public sector protests this summer, coordinated by ADEDY. For air travel, the most sensitive test often comes when a stoppage hits midday, when airports cycle arrivals and departures every few minutes and small delays can snowball.
What travelers should monitor
For official updates, travelers can consult the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority, which posts public notices about air traffic services and airport operations: https://www.ypa.gr/en.
- Airlines will continue to send updates directly to booked customers.
- Airports will display any changes on departure boards and public address systems.
- Any future industrial action would likely face legal scrutiny similar to this week’s outcome.
For now, passengers can plan normal travel on August 28, 2025, with airports and carriers confirming operations throughout the day.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Athens Court ruled on August 27, 2025 that a planned four‑hour air traffic control strike set for August 28 was illegal, forcing its cancellation and prompting the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority to confirm normal operations with full staffing. The stoppage had been called by the Greek Air Traffic Controllers’ Union, aligned with ADEDY, to protest safety risks including systemic failures, an August 20 systems collapse, and arrivals exceeding the cited safe limit of 34 per hour. Airlines, including Ryanair, have criticized ATC performance—reporting over 5,000 delayed flights and 900,000 affected passengers in 2025—while unions blame staffing and outdated systems. Although EU261 compensation would not apply to an ATC-caused stoppage, airlines would still owe duty of care. Travelers should check airline updates, arrive early, verify connections, and retain receipts for potential reimbursement. The court ruling reduces immediate travel disruption but leaves unresolved issues about staffing, training, and technology in Greek ATC.
