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HCAA: Unprecedented Massive Interference in Athens FIR Frequencies

Published January 4, 2026, 16:08
HCAA: Unprecedented Massive Interference in Athens FIR Frequencies

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) announced an unprecedented incident of massive interference affecting almost all frequencies serving the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR), which caused damage and significant delays/cancellations of flights throughout the country. The interference began on January 4, 2026, at 08:59 local time, and also affected the operational communication telephone lines. The HCAA described the incident as "unprecedented in terms of its scale, geographical extent, and temporal persistence." HCAA technicians, in collaboration with OTE, worked immediately to identify and restore the problem, which took the form of continuous, unintentional emissions. A Crisis Management Team was convened and is in constant coordination with EUROCONTROL for optimal management of the airspace. Initially, the number of aircraft served was reduced to 35 per hour, but increased to 45 after 16:00 local time. In addition, a specially equipped HCAA aircraft took off urgently with HCAA electronic personnel and an EETΤ technician to investigate the interference from the air. The HCAA continues to investigate the cause of the interference while simultaneously conducting checks at all regional emission and reception system units.