Thousands of UK tourists flying to Greece are bracing for Easter travel disruptions. Greece’s air traffic control (ATC) strike is expected to cancel 70-80 flights in one day.
Easter’s supposed to be a time for egg hunts and sunny escapes. Well, for thousands of UK families planning a much-needed getaway to Greece, it might just come with a side of stress. Why? Greece’s air traffic controllers have decided to shut down operations for 24 hours starting April 9. That’s right—no controllers, planes, or smooth holidays.
Airlines such as TUI, EasyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways are already experiencing financial difficulties. Travelers relying on these carriers are likely to face delays, cancellations, and possibly some serious airport drama. Around 70 to 80 flights from the UK alone are expected to be grounded, putting 12,000 passengers, who probably had visions of cocktails and sunsets, in travel limbo.
When Dead Airspace Meets Your Holiday Dreams
For Greece, air traffic control is like the unsung hero of the sky. They manage takeoffs, landings, and even those quick flyover paths headed toward other sunny places. But when controllers strike, it’s game over—planes don’t move, and tourists don’t travel.
This year’s action will impact flights crossing Greece’s airspace, troubling more than island-hopping adventurers. Those headed to hotspots in Asia or the Middle East could get caught up in the mess. Of course, anyone aiming for Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete can expect added frustration, too.
Brack yourself if you’re flying from Birmingham, London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, or Edinburgh. Those routes to Athens, Heraklion, or any of Greece’s postcard-perfect islands suddenly don’t look so guaranteed. Plus, British Airways, EasyJet, and TUI flights are appearing particularly vulnerable.
Travel Nightmares Courtesy of the Greek ATC
Anton Radchenko from AirAdvisor isn’t sugarcoating the situation. He pointed out that Greece faces two to three air traffic control strikes annually. For an island-heavy destination like Greece, it’s a fragile Jenga tower waiting for someone to pull the wrong block. His warning? These strikes are uniquely chaotic because air control is the backbone of aviation. No ATC means no flights—simple as that.
To make things even more stressful, earlier strikes this year have caused ripples across the travel industry. Ferry bookings in Greece have jumped by 50-70%, while hotels near popular island spots have hiked prices by 30-50%. It’s almost as if someone threw salt into the wound of inconvenienced tourists everywhere.
Flying to Greece this Easter might feel more like a gamble than a getaway. Holidaymakers should prepare for the worst, whether delays, cancellations, or skyrocketing costs. You might want to pack an extra dose of patience—because there’s nothing sunny about being stuck at an airport.
