Greek Aviation Chief Resigns Following Report on Airspace Blackout Caused by Outdated Systems

HCAA Governor Steps Down Amidst Outcry

George Saunatsos, the Governor of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), submitted his resignation on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, which was promptly accepted by Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas. This development follows a critical report detailing the causes of a significant airspace blackout that occurred on January 4, 2026, severely disrupting air traffic across Greece.

The resignation comes in the wake of mounting pressure after the incident, which saw flights grounded and diverted, exposing vulnerabilities in the country's air navigation infrastructure. George Vagenas, the Deputy Governor of Air Navigation, has been appointed to temporarily assume the Governor's duties while procedures for a permanent replacement are initiated.

Details of the Airspace Blackout

The widespread disruption on Sunday, January 4, 2026, lasted for approximately eight hours, affecting the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) and leading to chaos at airports including Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' and other regional facilities. Air traffic controllers reportedly lost contact with most aircraft in Greek airspace, with radio frequencies experiencing intense and constant 'digital noise' that made communication extremely difficult or impossible.

The incident forced authorities to take the unprecedented step of suspending flights into and across Greek airspace, stranding thousands of travelers and causing numerous international flight diversions.

Report Cites Outdated Technology

An official report, released on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, concluded that the blackout was primarily due to a complex combination of technical failures and outdated telecommunications infrastructure. The investigation explicitly ruled out a cyberattack or external interference, attributing the incident to an internal technical malfunction.

Key findings from the report highlighted that the HCAA's voice communication system and critical supporting telecommunications infrastructure rely on technology that is no longer supported by manufacturers and lacks operational guarantees. Some radar systems at Athens Airport were found to be more than 20 years old, dating back to 1999.

The report also noted that the Greek telecommunications provider OTE had warned the civil aviation authority since 2019 about the need for new circuits.

Government Response and Future Plans

Despite the severity of the incident, authorities maintained that flight safety was not compromised, classifying the event as 'low risk' due to the timely response of controllers and crews.

In response to the findings, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has announced a comprehensive plan to upgrade the country's air traffic systems. This includes a significant investment of €300 million for modernization, with the full integration of new digital transmitters and systems expected to be completed by 2028.

Air traffic controllers' associations have long voiced concerns about the outdated equipment, stating that the report vindicates their complaints and underscores the urgent need for modernization.