Greece's CAA Reports Reduced Flight Delays Amidst Peak Season

Greece's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a statement addressing recent media reports concerning flight delays at Greek airports during the peak tourist season. The CAA asserts that flight delays have actually decreased, with average delays at Athens International Airport falling by 31.77% in June compared to the previous year.

The authority explained that figures from Eurocontrol often represent air traffic flow management (ATFM) delays across the entire European network, which are indeed heightened due to seasonal demand and geopolitical shifts. However, the CAA stressed that these network-wide figures should not be equated with the average delay experienced by individual passengers at airports.

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We understand perfectly that every delay creates a burden for passengers, especially during the summer period when traffic is at its highest and the European air traffic network operates under particular pressure.

According to the CAA's operational data for June 2026, the average delay per flight within the Athens Air Traffic Control Area was 2.26 minutes, an increase from 1.62 minutes in June 2025. Yet, when excluding weather and other external factors, the average delay was 0.97 minutes per flight, up slightly from 0.85 minutes the previous year. At Athens International Airport itself, the average delay attributed to air traffic control in June was 4.43 minutes, a reduction of over two minutes from 6.50 minutes in the same period last year.

The CAA acknowledged the burden delays place on passengers, especially during the busy summer months when European air traffic operates under significant pressure. The authority highlighted that flight traffic in early July has already surpassed the highest levels of the previous year. It affirmed ongoing daily efforts to manage air traffic and collaborate with Eurocontrol, airport operators, and airlines to ensure seamless service.

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These figures show that, despite increased pressures on the European network and Greek airspace, the operational impact remains more limited than the impression that might be created by isolating a single indicator.