- Technical faults grounded two separate flights at Chania’s Daskalogiannis Airport on Sunday, leading to hours of tarmac delays.
- Passengers on a Thessaloniki-bound flight were kept inside the aircraft for nearly five hours; when offered no free water, a cabin revolt broke out.
- Police and EKAB paramedics were called to the scene after panic attacks, a fainting episode, and a bus injury during passenger offloading.
- A second flight to Athens experienced severe technical delays that evening, finally departing after 1:00 AM.
If you needed a reminder to always pack a carry-on survival kit, this chaotic evening at Chania’s “Daskalogiannis” Airport is it.
Yesterday, two separate flights out of Crete turned into endurance tests due to technical issues, but the details of the first delay truly defy belief.
A flight to Thessaloniki, scheduled for 16:40, taxied out only to return to the gate with a technical warning. Passengers were then kept on board the aircraft for five hours. The absolute kicker? When frustrated, thirsty passengers asked for water, they were reportedly informed they would have to buy it.
Tensions inevitably boiled over. The situation escalated to the point of fainting and panic attacks, requiring police intervention. Ultimately, 25 passengers had enough and refused to fly. In the chaotic deplaning process, one passenger was injured on the shuttle bus and required an ambulance. The flight finally limped out at 21:50.
But the chaos wasn’t over. A subsequent flight to Athens, scheduled for 21:00, also hit technical snags, leaving those passengers stranded until after 1:00 AM.
Regional airport travel during peak season requires an extra dose of patience. Always keep a refillable water bottle, snacks, a power bank, and any essential medications in your personal item under the seat—not in the overhead bin. You never know when a “quick technical check” will turn into a half-day tarmac campout.
