Greece is emerging as one of Europe’s most delay-prone airspaces, according to new Eurocontrol data that places the country among the weakest performers for average flight delays over the past year.
In its 2025 report, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) said Greece recorded the third-highest average delay in Europe, at 54 seconds per flight. The findings point to ongoing strain on Greece’s air traffic management network, driven primarily by outdated flight control systems and staff shortages in civil aviation.
How Greece compares with other countries
Eurocontrol’s rankings place France first for delays, with an average of 114 seconds per flight. Spain followed at 59 seconds, while Germany ranked fourth at 53 seconds. Bosnia and Herzegovina came next at 50 seconds per flight, completing the group of countries experiencing the most significant disruption levels.
While delays measured in seconds may seem minor on a single flight, aviation analysts say they can add up quickly. Over a full day of operations, especially during peak travel seasons, small disruptions can trigger wider knock-on delays across the network.
Aging infrastructure and staffing shortfalls
The report links Greece’s performance to long-standing limits in aviation oversight and day-to-day operating capacity.
Industry observers have repeatedly warned that upgrades to flight control systems have not kept pace with rising traffic volumes, particularly during the summer months, when Greece becomes a major entry point for international tourism. Staffing shortages also play a major role, reducing flexibility during high-demand periods and making it harder to respond quickly when technical problems arise.
Greece flight delays draw renewed attention after January disruption
Concerns intensified on January 4, when a radio frequency malfunction resulted in the partial shutdown of flights across Greece for several hours.
A follow-up probe traced the disruption to aging systems rather than external interference. The incident underscored how outdated infrastructure can rapidly disrupt air traffic nationwide, especially when aviation services are already operating under strain.
