Greek Radar Failure Causes Major Flight Delays for Israeli and European Routes

A technical failure in Greece's radar system has triggered a regional aviation crisis, severely impacting hundreds of flights to and from Israel. The Greek airspace, a key corridor for flights between Israel and Europe, including destinations like Paris, Vienna, and Budapest, has experienced significant delays due to the malfunction. The issue occurred in the radar and air traffic control systems around Sitia and Kavousi in Crete and northern Greece, forcing controllers to operate with only one radar without backup.

This failure has led to a drastic reduction in permitted takeoffs and landings in Greece to prevent accidents, causing air traffic congestion and widespread schedule disruptions not only in Greece but also in Israel and across Southeast Europe. The situation is exacerbated by already increased flight density in the region due to rerouted flights from the tense Middle East.

On the day of the report, Ben Gurion Airport handled 550 flights, a high volume for Israel, with 240 flights delayed by over 15 minutes. Notably, a flight to Budapest was delayed by nearly nine hours, and a flight to Vienna by over five hours. Ten flights were canceled, and incoming flights from Greece also faced significant delays, including one from Mykonos delayed by eight and a half hours. The disruptions are expected to worsen, with some flights potentially postponed to the following day or canceled due to crew and airport operational limits. Passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.