The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) fully understands that any delay causes inconvenience to passengers, especially during the summer season, when traffic is at its peak and the European air traffic network is under particular strain.
In its announcement, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) notes that, as of Saturday, July 4, 2026, traffic (4,925 flights) has already surpassed the peak levels of 2025 (4,916 flights on August 10). In this context, efforts to ensure the smooth handling of flights are ongoing and continuous.
In response to recent media reports, the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) clarifies that the EUROCONTROL data primarily concern air traffic flow management (ATFM) delays at the European network level. These delays are real and have intensified, as also recorded by other European providers, particularly due to seasonal demand and geopolitical developments, which have altered flight flows in the wider region.
These indicators are important for the operational monitoring of airspace. However, they should not be equated with the passenger’s overall experience at airports, nor should they be interpreted as the average delay time experienced by each flight.
According to HCAA operational data for June 2026, the average delay at the Athens–Macedonia Area Control Center (KEPATHM) stood at 2.26 minutes per flight, compared to 1.62 minutes in 2025. Excluding weather and other external factors, the average delay was 0.97 minutes per flight, compared to 0.85 minutes in June 2025.
Similarly, at Athens International Airport, the average delay per flight due to air traffic in June stood at 4.43 minutes, compared to 6.50 minutes (a reduction of more than 2 minutes) during the same period last year, while total delays decreased by 31.77%.
These figures show that, despite increased pressures on the European network and in Greek airspace, the operational impact remains more limited than the impression that might be created by looking at a single indicator, the HCAA statement concludes.
The HCAA, recognizing the impact that delays have on passengers, monitors air traffic developments on a daily basis and collaborates with EUROCONTROL, airport management bodies, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Flight Coordination Authority, and airlines, implementing all necessary operational adjustments while maintaining a high level of safety.
At the same time, efforts are underway to strengthen staffing through the established procedures for recruiting and training air traffic controllers (ATCs). Specifically, 92 air traffic controllers were appointed in 2025, and the swearing-in ceremony for 51 of the 77 controllers to be hired in 2026 is currently being organized.