Air travel to and from Greece has come to a sudden and complete halt. The country's airports have suspended all arrivals and departures, causing significant disruption for travellers worldwide, including those from India.
What Happened and When?
The major travel disruption was announced on 4 January 2026. The news broke in the afternoon, with reports confirming that Greek authorities had taken the decision to ground all flight operations. The announcement was made public around 04:13 PM IST, as reported by journalist Garvit Bhirani.
This is a developing situation, meaning details are still emerging, and the full scope and duration of the suspension are not yet clear. Aviation authorities have not provided an immediate timeline for when normal operations might resume.
Immediate Impact on Travel Plans
The immediate consequence is that no flights can land in or take off from Greek airports. This affects all international and domestic routes. For Indian travellers, this means:
- Any flights from Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai to destinations such as Athens, Thessaloniki, or the Greek islands are cancelled.
- Passengers already in Greece are unable to depart.
- Those transiting through Greek airports are also impacted.
Passengers with confirmed bookings are advised to contact their respective airlines immediately for rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. Travel insurance providers should also be notified to understand coverage for such unforeseen cancellations.
Reasons and Next Steps for Flyers
While the official reason for this unprecedented nationwide suspension has not been explicitly detailed in the initial report, such drastic measures are typically taken due to severe circumstances. These could range from a critical national security alert, a major air traffic control system failure, or an extreme natural disaster.
For now, Indian tourists and business travellers with plans involving Greece must stay vigilant. It is crucial to monitor updates from official sources like the Greek Civil Aviation Authority, your airline, and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for travel advisories.
This event underscores the importance of flexibility when planning international travel. As more information becomes available, the focus will shift to understanding the root cause and estimating how long it will take for one of Europe's popular tourist destinations to reopen its skies.
