ATHENS — Hundreds of passengers faced travel chaos across Europe on Sunday, April 5, with 85 flights cancelled and 381 delayed in multiple countries, including Greece. Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) reported one cancellation and 38 delays amid a broader wave of disruptions hitting major hubs.
The widespread issues affected airports in Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, and Greece. Severe weather conditions, including low visibility, high winds, and icy patches in northern and central Europe, combined with airspace restrictions, staff shortages, and high passenger volumes, triggered the problems.
Impact on Greek Aviation
At Athens International Airport, the disruptions added pressure to an already busy spring travel period. While the scale remained relatively limited compared to harder-hit hubs like Amsterdam Schiphol (143 delays) or London Heathrow (65 delays), the 38 delayed flights affected both domestic and international routes. Airlines operating services to and from Athens, including Aegean Airlines and international carriers with connections through European hubs, experienced knock-on effects.
Passengers reported longer wait times, crowded terminals, and uncertainty over rebooking options. Greek travelers heading to or connecting through major European cities such as Oslo, London, Copenhagen, and Rome faced the greatest inconvenience.
Europe-Wide Disruptions
Norway bore the heaviest burden, with Oslo Gardermoen recording 23 cancellations and Stavanger another 23. Other significantly affected airports included:
- Amsterdam Schiphol: 7 cancellations, 143 delays
- London Heathrow: 8 cancellations, 65 delays
- Copenhagen: 11 cancellations, 25 delays
Major airlines impacted included SAS Scandinavian Airlines (heavily affected in Scandinavia), KLM (massive delays at its Schiphol hub), British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and CityJet. Greek carriers and codeshare partners also felt indirect effects through disrupted connecting flights.
Caapplys Behind the Chaos
Aviation authorities and airlines cited a combination of factors:
- Unseasonable weather — Strong winds, reduced visibility, and winter-like conditions in parts of northern Europe.
- Airspace congestion and restrictions — Geopolitical tensions leading to rerouting and capacity limits.
- Operational strain — Staff shortages at several airports and record post-pandemic passenger numbers overwhelming the system.
Passenger Advice
Travelers affected by cancellations or long delays in the EU (including Greece) may be entitled to compensation, rebooking, meals, and accommodation under EU261 regulations, depfinishing on the circumstances.
Authorities recommfinish:
- Checking flight status directly with airlines or via apps like FlightAware.
- Allowing extra time at the airport.
- Contacting airlines promptly for rebooking or refund options.
- Retaining all boarding passes and receipts for potential claims.
The situation on April 5 evolved throughout the day, with many delays clearing as weather improved. As of early April 6, normal operations appear to be resuming at most affected airports, though residual delays may persist.
Greek City Times will continue monitoring the situation for any further developments impacting Greek travelers and tourism this spring season. Safe travels to all those affected.
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