Are flights to Zante cancelled? Latest updates amid Greece fires

Flights to Zakynthos (Zante) are operating as of August 13, 2025, but passengers face rolling delays and schedule changes as wildfires continue across Greece. There is no blanket shutdown at Zante Airport (ZTH); instead, authorities are managing traffic around firefighting missions and earlier runway work that still limits usable length.

Greek aviation notices show targeted restrictions rather than complete closures. According to current NOTAMs in effect on Wednesday, airspace in several regions is reserved for firefighting from 03:00 to 18:00 local time. During that window, the airport may handle military, hospital, FRONTEX, police, firefighting, and state flights outside normal operating hours, but general aviation and training flights are not accepted outside those hours. Scheduled commercial services remain allowed, subject to short‑notice pauses when water bombers or smoke conditions require.

Runway works earlier this year also shape what airlines can do. As of today, Runway 16 is reduced to 1,400 meters and Runway 34 to 1,595 meters. That can affect which aircraft types and payloads carriers deploy, possibly leading to weight limits, time‑of‑day adjustments, or swaps to smaller jets. Crucially, the airport is open and posting arrivals and departures, and there is no current NOTAM announcing a full closure for commercial traffic.

Operational picture at Zante Airport (ZTH)

• Airport status: Open for scheduled commercial flights, with operational limits in place.
• Airspace: Firefighting restrictions from 03:00–18:00 on August 13, enabling priority missions to proceed; general aviation and training are not accepted outside published operating hours during this period.
• Runways: Runway 16 — 1,400 m; Runway 34 — 1,595 m, following 2025 maintenance. Some aircraft may face payload or performance constraints.
• Disruptions: No blanket cancellations reported; airlines may delay, reroute, or cancel individual flights when required by conditions.
• Oversight: The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority issues NOTAMs and coordinates operational priorities with emergency services.

What travelers should do now

• Check flight status frequently. Use the official Zante airport arrivals and departures pages and your airline’s app or website. Expect gate changes and revised departure times.
• Plan for last‑minute changes. Crews may pause boarding or taxi if firefighting aircraft need protected airspace. Keep devices charged and stay near departure gates.
• Contact your airline for refunds or rebooking if your flight is cancelled. Airlines provide assistance at airport desks and through customer service channels.
• Choose flexible tickets and keep travel insurance that covers natural disaster disruption. Policies differ; confirm what “trip interruption” includes.
• Follow safety advisories from the Greek Fire Service and Civil Protection, especially if local authorities order evacuations or restrict movement near the airport.

The absence of a blanket shutdown means passengers should plan for rolling disruptions rather than assume their trip is off. Building slack into itineraries and avoiding tight connections reduces risk.

Why flights keep operating (but with limits)

A pattern has emerged across Greek islands during summer fire seasons: pinpoint airspace controls, brief ground stops, and timetable shuffles rather than system‑wide cancellations. Zante is following that model. The result is uncertainty at the margin—flights operate, but the exact timing can move, especially if winds change and firefighting priority shifts.

Earlier runway maintenance reduced available lengths; those works have largely concluded, leaving current length limits in place while scheduled commercial operations continue. Airlines have operational tools to cope:

1. Assess takeoff performance and apply weight restrictions (offloading bags or cargo if needed).
2. Swap to smaller aircraft or different types on short notice.
3. Shift departures to cooler hours when performance margins improve.

None of these steps imply a closed airport; they are measures to keep flying safely while emergency aircraft get priority.

Common traveler pain points and practical tips

• Timing and communication are the main frustrations. A flight can appear on-time, then slip to “delayed” after boarding, and then depart minutes later once firefighting activity passes.
• A prolonged delay can become a cancellation if smoke lowers visibility or crews reach duty limits.
• Avoid booking separate tickets that leave no room for reaccommodation.

Practical tips:
– Monitor official feeds and airline alerts continuously.
– Keep bookings in one reservation whenever possible.
– Arrive early, check in online, and stay near gates.
– Keep essential items and documents in carry-on in case of bag offload.

Historical context and outlook

Historically, Greece sees flare-ups during hot, windy spells that strain local services and trigger short airspace holds. In 2023 and 2024, several islands experienced temporary airport closures or cancellations tied to on‑island fires, but those measures were narrow and time‑limited. The 2025 pattern at Zakynthos is similar.

Near‑term outlook:
– Expect steady but fragile operations while the fire season continues.
– Further short airspace restrictions are possible on windy or hotter days.
– If fires weaken, schedules tend to stabilize quickly.
– Planned infrastructure improvements at regional airports may return in winter, but these are not affecting current peak operations at ZTH.

Contacts and authoritative sources

• Airport arrivals & departures: see the airport’s official website (arrivals/departures pages).
• Airlines: status alerts, chat, and call centers for rebooking and refunds.
• Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (NOTAMs and guidance): consult HCAA at https://hcaa.gov.gr.
• NOTAM query/industry contact: +30 695 201 4169

Local officials urge patience and cooperation while crews battle fires. Road closures or travel advisories help keep access routes free for emergency vehicles. Hotels and tour reps on Zakynthos often relay airline messages and arrange transport when departure times move.

If you’re traveling to or from Zante now, build buffers into plans and expect rolling changes while fires remain active through the season.