Greece was among the countries most affected by air traffic disruptions in Europe during the week of June 16–22, as ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East led to widespread delays and cancellations across the continent.
According to EUROCONTROL’s latest Flash Briefing report, Greece ranked second in Europe for air traffic flow management delays during this period, accounting for 14 percent of all network delays.
France topped the list with 40 percent, grappling with staff shortages, capacity constraints, and adverse weather conditions expected to persist in the coming weeks. Spain followed with 12 percent, also impacted by capacity and weather-related issues.
Overall, approximately 1,800 flights to and from Europe were disrupted, including around 800 cancellations and 1,000 re-routings through Egypt and Cyprus. This rerouting primarily affected Southeast and Central Europe and reflected a shift in traffic demand in response to the Middle East crisis.
Additionally, cancellations by European and US carriers on routes to Gulf destinations increased compared to the previous week.
Air traffic growth continues despite regional challenges
Photo source: EUROCONTROL
Despite these disruptions, the European aviation network maintained growth, according to EUROCONTROL.
The week saw an average of 34,643 daily flights, up 0.2 percent from the previous week and 2 percent higher than 2024 levels, reaching 99 percent of pre-pandemic activity from 2019. While the ongoing Middle East crisis impacted certain routes, Southeast Europe experienced a 10 percent increase in traffic compared to last year.
Moreover, delays averaged 2.8 minutes per flight, representing a 13 percent decrease from the previous week and a significant 39 percent reduction from the same period last year.
Nevertheless, about 43,720 flights were affected by restrictions during the week – averaging 6,246 daily delays, or 18 percent of all flights.
Arrival punctuality declined slightly to 74 percent but remained more than nine percentage points higher than in 2024.
Athens airport capacity under review
Photo source: EUROCONTROL
In addition to en-route air traffic management, the report also flagged capacity issues at major airports, including Athens International Airport (AIA).
Discussions are taking place with the airport’s operators – alongside those at Dublin, Lisbon, and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – to improve alignment between scheduled and actual capacity during the high-demand summer period.
Overall, EUROCONTROL reported that delays linked to the Middle East crisis, which escalated on Friday, June 13, have remained under control. Coordinated efforts with regional partners – including Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece – have enabled flow management measures and further capacity optimizations in Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary are under consideration.
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