Significant Flight Delays Between Israel and Europe Due to Radar Failure in Greece

On July 26, 2026, major delays affected flights between Israel and Europe because of a radar malfunction in Greek airspace. The issue impacts nearly all flights crossing Greece en route to or from Israel, as they must alter their flight paths to avoid the affected radar zone. Airlines have begun adjusting routes to maintain air traffic flow despite the restrictions.

These rerouted paths are expected to significantly extend flight durations, with delays estimated at around two hours per affected flight. Passengers have reported long waits and a lack of clear explanations, as seen in a video from travelers waiting to depart Kos for Israel. The ongoing radar failure continues to disrupt air travel schedules, with no immediate resolution announced.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of international air traffic to technical failures in critical airspace regions and the cascading effects on flight operations and passenger experience.