Strikes will ground flights on February 28, and demonstrations may take place cities across the country.
Air Traffic Controllers in Greece will strike on February 28, grounding all commercial flights at airports throughout the country.
Members of the Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association announced on February 21 that they would join a general strike called by labor unions representing workers in the public and private sectors to demand justice for the victims on the anniversary of Greece’s worst rail disaster in 2023.
The US Embassy in Greece further warned Americans already traveling or planning travel to Greece that demonstrations may take place cities across the country on the day of the strike. The Embassy warns that some past demonstrations have turned violent, resulting in the destruction of property, and that police have in the past used tear gas to disperse violent demonstrators. The Embassy warns US citizens to avoid Hellenic Train offices, city squares, and government buildings, which could be the target of demonstrations.
In addition to air traffic controllers, taxi drivers, train operators, and workers on ferries and other boats will also strike on February 28. Air traffic controllers will continue to handle certain types of flights, including medical transports, emergency search and rescue flights, humanitarian aid, military, and other emergency services flights.
Continue Reading Article After Our Video
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Aegean Airlines and its subsidiary Olympic Air have announced the cancellation of all domestic and international flights on February 28, with a few exceptions. A late-night flight from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Athens will be retimed to arrive in Athens after midnight on March 1, and late-night flights from Athens to Larnaca, Yerevan, and Cairo will depart at or near the midnight end of the strike on March 1.
Aegean will also cancel a handful of flights on February 27 and March 1 for operational reasons related to the strike, and some flights on February 27 will be retimed to avoid arriving or departing from Greek airports during the strike period. Aegean will add flights to its domestic and international networks in the days before and after the strikes to accommodate the backlog of travelers.
The weekend of March 1 is also a bank holiday in Greece, and Aegean is offering flexibility to travelers on days around the strike. Travelers holding tickets between March 1 and March 3 can cancel their flights for travel credit or have their ticket for no additional fare for travel by December 31.
The strike comes as visitors and residents begin returning to the island of Santorini as the threat of earthquakes begins to subside. A surge of tremors earlier this year had led to the large-scale evacuation of Santorini and surrounding islands, driving concerns that the bookings for the upcoming summer tourist season could weaken due to the uncertain safety situation.
The last general strike in Greece took place in November as labor unions protested the rising costs of living. Air traffic controllers did not participate in that strike, and an attempt by controllers to join a general strike in the fall of 2023 was deemed illegal by Greek courts.
Because of the timing of the strike, US carrier operations will not be affected. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines each serve Athens nonstop from the United States, but only during the peak summer season.
Tensions continue to remain high in Greece over the rail disaster on February 28, 2023. The government has been criticized for official handling of the crisis, with the public frustrated with delays in the investigation of the accident, accusations of a cover-up, and gaps in the safety programs of the Greek rail system. Mass protests relating to issues relating to the rail crash were also held last month in Greek cities.
The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association represents controllers at 44 Greek airports, including the busiest international hub at Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport.
