Holidaymakers jetting off to Greece today face travel chaos as air traffic controllers embark on a 24-hour strike on April 9, 2025. The nationwide walkout, organised by public sector union ADEDY will ground all flights just 11 days before Easter.

Members of unions across the country are due to walk out as part of a dispute over wages, collective bargaining agreements and the rising cost of living. The walkout will affect a wide range of sectors, including transport, education, and municipal services. Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, the country’s main airport, said in a statement that no flights will operate to or from the airport between midnight and 11.59pm on April 9.

The airport adds that Metro service will only operate between 9am and 5pm. The first Metro service will depart from Athens International Airport at 10.22am and the last at 4.19pm.

Public buses will run between 9am and 9pm whilst regional buses will operate as normal. Suburban bus routes operated by KTEL are subject to cancellations.

Sister airlines Aegean and Olympic Air said it was offering passengers due to fly today “the flexibility to change their tickets without any reissue fee and fare difference or cancel their booking and receive a credit voucher for future use”.

The Greek Air Traffic Controllers’ Association said during the huge strike, staff will only handle certain types of flights, including medical and search and rescue services, humanitarian aid and military flights, and emergencies, Greek news outlets have reported.

The disruption is expected to cancel 70-80 flights from the UK, stranding 11,200-12,800 Brits meant to be flying with easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, and TUI Airways, according to AirAdvisor.

Anton Radchenko, aviation expert & Founder of AirAdvisor, said "[Greece's] airspace is a ticking time bomb, especially for island hoppers.

"Air traffic control strikes are uniquely disruptive because ATC is the backbone of aviation operations - without it, flights cannot take off, land, or safely navigate airspace."

More than 20 easyJet flights are due to be cancelled, over 15 British Airways and Ryanair journeys, and over 10 by TUI Airways. Other affected carriers include Aegean Airlines, Air France, and Lufthansa.

Despite the inconvenience, travellers will not receive any financial compensation because the strikes fall under "extraordinary circumstances" that are outside of arlines' control.

However, those affected are entitled to free meals, accommodation, and transit to and from the airport under EU regulations.

The strike also affects teachers, local government workers, and tourism employees. The Panhellenic Federation of Food and Tourism Workers (POEET) has called members to take part in a protest at Klafthmonos Square in Athens at 11am.