Greece airspace closure strands thousands across Europe

International

THOUSANDS of travelers were left stranded across Europe after Greece’s airspace was disrupted, triggering widespread flight cancellations and delays that rippled through major international airports, aviation authorities reported on Tuesday.

The disruption, which affected both domestic and international routes, forced airlines to ground or reroute flights passing through Greek airspace, a report by BBC said.

Passengers bound for destinations in Southern and Eastern Europe were among the hardest hit, with many stuck in transit hubs for hours or even days.

Airlines cited air traffic management issues as the primary cause of the disruption, prompting safety-related restrictions on the volume of flights allowed to cross Greek-controlled skies. Several carriers issued advisories urging passengers to monitor flight updates and rebooking options.

Major airports in Athens, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt, and Istanbul reported overcrowded terminals as stranded passengers scrambled for alternative flights. Long queues formed at airline counters, while hotels near airports quickly filled up due to unexpected overnight stays.

Tourism officials said the incident came at a particularly difficult time, as Europe continues to experience peak summer travel. Greece, a major holiday destination, also saw inbound tourism affected, with some flights diverted or canceled at the last minute.

Despite the disruption, Greek aviation authorities said corrective measures were immediately put in place to stabilize air traffic flow. They expressed hope that normal operations would gradually resume, although some delays may persist in the coming days.(Victoria Diana, USJ-R Comm Intern)