In short: we know of 1 upcoming strike in Greece that may affect flights (see below). Flights are only grounded when the air traffic controllers take part, which is often confirmed – or blocked by a court – just a day or two before. Controller and general strikes are extraordinary circumstances, so compensation is usually not due, but the airline must still offer a refund or re-routing and care. Last checked: 10 November 2026.
Strikes in Greece
-
Wednesday, 25 November 2026 · 24 hours
nationwide
public sector (ADEDY) uncertain
By 10 November we had found no announcement that air traffic controllers will take part. If they do, flights to, from and over Greece may be cancelled, as in earlier ADEDY strikes.
General strike: usually an extraordinary circumstance for the airline – care and re-routing or a refund are still owed.
Sources: Argophilia (12 Oct 2026)
Who goes on strike in Greece
Public-sector and general strikes
Most Greek strikes that touch air travel are 24-hour national strikes. ADEDY, the confederation of public-sector unions, calls them for public employees; GSEE, the private-sector confederation, sometimes calls strikes on the same day. Ferries, public transport and public services are usually affected; flights only if aviation staff join.
Air traffic controllers
Greek air traffic controllers are public employees of the civil aviation authority and are represented by the Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEEKE). They frequently announce that they will take part in ADEDY strikes, either for the full day or as a work stoppage of a few hours, sometimes together with other aviation unions such as OSYPA (civil aviation employees) and ENIMAEK (electronics engineers). When they do, flights to and from Greek airports stop, while essential flights continue.
Their disputes are often about staffing, equipment and pay, and some actions are aviation-specific rather than part of a wider strike – for example limits on how many flights they will handle per hour.
Airline and airport staff
Strikes by airline crews or airport companies in Greece are much less common than in Italy or Spain. Seamen’s unions have joined general strikes in the past, which matters if your trip combines a flight and a ferry.
How Greek strikes unfold
- The strike is called – ADEDY or GSEE announces a national strike, often weeks in advance (the strike of 25 November 2026 was reported on 12 October).
- Aviation unions decide – the controllers and other civil aviation staff announce whether they will join, and for how long. This may come only a week or a few days before.
- The courts may intervene – the authorities can ask a court to rule the controllers’ participation illegal. This has happened repeatedly: on 30 September 2025, for instance, an Athens court declared the participation of EEEKE, OSYPA and ENIMAEK in the next day’s ADEDY strike illegal, and flights were expected to run normally.
- Airlines adjust – if the controllers’ participation stands, airlines cancel or reschedule flights and contact passengers. On 9 April 2025, when controllers joined the ADEDY strike, only essential flights – including flights crossing the Athens flight information region, state, medical and humanitarian flights – were to operate.
The result is that many travellers only know a day or two before whether their flight will go. Do not cancel your trip early: if the airline does not cancel your flight, you have no right to a refund.
Where to check
- Your airline – Aegean, Sky Express and international airlines publish strike notices and rebooking options on their websites and apps.
- The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority – announces whether controllers’ participation goes ahead or has been suspended after a court ruling.
- Greek news agencies and English-language Greek media – report the controllers’ decisions and court rulings, usually the day before.
- This page – we list each strike with its source once it is announced.
Your rights during a Greek strike
Flights from Greece are covered by EU261 whatever the airline; flights from the UK to Greece by UK261; flights from Greece to the UK by EU261.
| Who is on strike | Compensation | Care and refund or re-routing |
|---|---|---|
| Air traffic controllers or civil aviation authority staff | Usually not due – extraordinary circumstance | Always owed |
| ADEDY / GSEE general strike | Usually not due | Always owed |
| Airport or handling staff | Usually not due | Always owed |
| The airline’s own pilots or cabin crew | Usually due: €250 / €400 / €600 (UK261: £220 / £350 / £520) | Always owed |
Regulation 261/2004 recognises strikes that affect an airline’s operation as a possible extraordinary circumstance, but the Court of Justice of the EU has made clear that a strike by the airline’s own staff is not one (C-28/20, Airhelp v SAS, 2021). See strikes and extraordinary circumstances for the details.
If your flight is cancelled you can choose a refund or re-routing – including to a nearby airport or by another airline if that gets you there sooner – and the airline must provide meals, refreshments and, if needed, a hotel. On islands where flights are limited, ask the airline in writing for the earliest alternative and keep a copy.
One more point to watch: if a strike day was announced well in advance and your flight is cancelled the day before or after, ask the airline to state the reason. A cancellation that is really due to the airline’s own planning, not the strike, can still give you compensation.
Flight to or from Greece cancelled? Check if you are owed compensation
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Strike days at Greece’s airports since 2024
EUROCONTROL attributes every arrival flow restriction to a cause. These are the days on which restrictions at Greece’s airports were put down to industrial action, from January 2024 to 30 September 2026 – 1 in 2024.
| Date | ATC strike delay (min) | Other strike delay (min) | Airports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 February 2024 | 19 | – | ATH |
Only restrictions on arriving flights at the airports themselves are counted; strikes by air traffic controllers elsewhere (for example in France, affecting overflights) and by airline staff do not appear here. A strike by air traffic controllers or airport staff is usually an extraordinary circumstance; a strike by the airline’s own staff is not. Source: EUROCONTROL. Check a specific day: delay cause checker.
Frequently asked questions
Does every general strike in Greece stop flights?
No. Flights are only seriously affected when the air traffic controllers join. Controllers often join public-sector strikes called by ADEDY, but sometimes only for a few hours, and Greek courts have several times declared their participation illegal the day before, after which flights operated normally.
My flight to Greece was cancelled because of a strike. Do I get compensation?
Usually not if the strike was by air traffic controllers, airport staff or a general strike: these are extraordinary circumstances. The airline must still offer a refund or re-routing and look after you while you wait. If the airline’s own crew were on strike, compensation is usually due.
Are flights passing over Greece affected?
During the controllers’ participation in the ADEDY strike of 9 April 2025, flights crossing the Athens flight information region were among the essential flights that continued. Flights to and from Greek airports were the ones grounded.
When will I know if my flight to Greece is affected?
Often only one or two days before: the controllers’ decision, a possible court ruling and the airlines’ cancellations usually come shortly before the strike day. Keep checking your airline’s app and messages.
Strike dates are taken from union announcements, official notices and press reports; each entry lists its sources. Greek aviation strikes are often confirmed, shortened or blocked by a court at short notice – always check with your airline. Last checked: 10 November 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Sources
- National strike in Greece on 25 November (12 October 2026) – Argophilia
- Greek air traffic controllers join nationwide strike, disrupting flights (1 April 2025) – iefimerida.gr
- Flights operating normally on Wednesday: air traffic controllers’ strike declared illegal (30 September 2025) – Proto Thema
- Flight disruptions expected on October 1 amid strike (26 September 2025) – To Vima
- Flights at Greek airports to remain undisrupted, as court calls strike illegal – Athens-Macedonian News Agency
- Judgment C-28/20 Airhelp v SAS (23 March 2021) – Court of Justice of the EU
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 – full text – EUR-Lex
We check every rule against the sources above. Spotted an error? Tell us – see our editorial policy.