Athens airport expects flight delays up to an hour on Wednesday and Thursday for precision landing system tests
Scheduled precision-approach checks at Athens International Airport will cut air traffic flow on 10 and 11 June, with airlines estimating 45 to 60 minutes of disruption for arrivals and departures.
What is happening
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” will see reduced air traffic flow on Wednesday 10 June and Thursday 11 June as the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) conducts its routine precision-approach inspections. The work focuses on the Instrument Landing System (ILS), a ground-based radio-navigation aid that provides pilots with horizontal and vertical guidance during the final approach and landing phase. The checks began on Tuesday 9 June and will continue during the afternoon peak period on the following two days, from 15:00 to 18:00 local time.
The technology being tested
The ILS is essential for safe operations, especially in low-visibility conditions such as dense fog or heavy rain. It consists of a localiser, which aligns the aircraft with the runway centreline, and a glideslope, which guides the descent angle. Signal integrity must be verified regularly by a flight-inspection aircraft that flies multiple approaches. The specially equipped CAA plane performs continuous passes and approaches to certify correct operation. Periodic calibration is mandatory and carried out at regular intervals at all Greek airports.
- Checks begin on Tuesday, causing some delays in the flight programme.
- Wednesday checks from 15:00 to 18:00; delays of 45-60 minutes expected.
- Thursday checks from 15:00 to 18:00; delays of 45-60 minutes expected, with possible knock-on effects.
- Checks conclude; normal operations expected to resume.
Impact on travellers
Greek airline officials estimate that arrivals and departures will face delays of 45 to 60 minutes on both days. Because the reduced flow coincides with the afternoon rush, the effects could cascade to later flights. The same type of checks on Tuesday caused noticeable disruptions, and industry executives warn that the largest impact will be felt during the peak afternoon hours. Passengers are being asked to be patient and to confirm their flight status directly with their carrier.
Context and outlook
The maintenance window is scheduled to conclude on Thursday afternoon. While the slowdown is temporary, the two-day concentration during a busy travel period is expected to affect a significant number of passengers using Greece’s largest airport. No cancellations have been announced, but airlines are bracing for a domino effect that may ripple through the evening schedule. Travelers with connections or tight schedules should monitor updates from their airline and the airport’s information channels.
