On January 4, 2026, passengers throughout Greece were stranded due to a glitch affecting the country’s outdated aviation communication systems.
According to a report by Reuters released on January 5, air traffic controllers at Athens International Airport were directing planes to the runway when communication failed, replaced by a high-pitched whistling sound.
Controllers lost contact with numerous aircraft within Greek airspace, which was alarming for those preparing to land. The Greek Civil Aviation Authority is now scrutinizing the outdated equipment still utilized across the airports.
Unprecedented, yet familiar…
Experts noted that this incident, though unprecedented according to Greek authorities, could echo a situation that occurred in July 2024 affecting global air traffic.
Indications suggest the problem may not stem from software malfunctions or cyber-attacks but rather from long-needed system upgrades. Communications circuits currently in use from the national telecommunications provider OTE were assured as operational on January 5.
However, significant improvements to Greece’s airport communications infrastructure are imperative. The Air Traffic Controllers Union has called for an urgent overhaul of airport systems.
Moving Forward
The Greek government has declared an ongoing modernization program for the airports, with new communication systems anticipated to be entirely implemented by 2028, aligning with EU safety standards.
As stated by Psarros, “This incident exposes the critical weaknesses of outdated and underfunded air traffic management infrastructure. While safety was maintained due to human expertise, it cannot continue to compensate for systemic deficiencies.”