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Air traffic controllers refute 'terror flight' claims, cite safety procedure
🇬🇷 Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Air traffic controllers refute 'terror flight' claims, cite safety procedure

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A film director alleged passengers experienced terror on a Sky Express flight from Heraklion to Athens.
  • He claimed the pilot performed a sudden acceleration and ascent, a 'go-around,' during landing.
  • Air traffic controllers stated the maneuver was a normal safety procedure and criticized the director's claims as fear-mongering.

Passengers on a Sky Express flight from Heraklion to Athens experienced moments of terror, according to film director and actor Iakovos Mylonas. Mylonas alleged on social media that as the plane prepared to land at Athens International Airport, the pilot abruptly accelerated and ascended, a maneuver known as a 'go-around.'

The pilot's procedure was absolutely safe.

— Air traffic controllersResponding to allegations of a near-tragedy during a flight landing.

He described panic in the cabin, with passengers screaming in fear. Shortly after, the pilot announced that another aircraft was on the same runway, necessitating the aborted landing. Mylonas accompanied his account with a video.

However, air traffic controllers refuted Mylonas's claims, calling the pilot's actions a standard, everyday safety procedure. They emphasized that flight safety is too serious a matter to be sensationalized. The Hellenic Association of Air Traffic Controllers (EEKE) issued a statement noting that 'go-arounds' are a completely predictable and common safety process.

The 'go around' is an absolutely predictable and common safety procedure.

— Hellenic Association of Air Traffic Controllers (EEKE)Clarifying the pilot's actions during an aborted landing.

The EEKE criticized characterizations of a "near tragedy" or "near collision" as unfounded based on passenger videos or personal assessments. They further stated that Mylonas deleted their official response and comments from representatives of air traffic controllers from his post and blocked the union's account, preventing a scientifically and operationally supported rebuttal.

Flight safety is too serious a matter to be the subject of fear-mongering and sensationalism.

— Air traffic controllersCriticizing claims made by a passenger about a flight incident.

The union expressed concern over the continued public posting of "extremely serious and fear-mongering claims" while documented responses from professionals are deleted. They stated this raises questions about the purpose and dissemination of such information. The EEKE announced it would take legal action to protect the union, its members, and the accurate dissemination of information to the public, reiterating that flight safety is too important for fear-mongering and sensationalism.

Characterizations of 'near tragedy,' 'near collision,' and 'miraculous salvation' cannot be substantiated by a passenger's video or personal assessments.

— Hellenic Association of Air Traffic Controllers (EEKE)Refuting claims made by film director Iakovos Mylonas about a flight landing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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