By Christina Lainopoulou
Flight delays at Greek airports in recent days, caused by air traffic controllers’ decision to limit the number of flights handled per hour, are raising strong concerns about an “abnormal landing” for Crete’s tourist season, which remains in full swing.
According to Michalis Vlatakis, President of the Association of Tourist and Travel Agencies of Crete (ACCTA), the ongoing disruptions are creating major costs for the island’s crucial September traffic and damaging last-minute autumn bookings.
Although the participation of the Union of Air Traffic Controllers of Greece (EEEKE) in the ADEDY strike on October 1 was declared illegal by the Athens Single-Member Court of First Instance — averting a worst-case scenario — Mr. Vlatakis stresses that “the delays that have been occurring daily continue to be a huge problem” for tourism in Crete.
“A heavy blow” to last-minute bookings
Flight disruptions at major airports, often exceeding half an hour, are particularly harmful to the “vulnerable” last-minute bookings that make up a large share of autumn travel.
“In September we have more flights than in August,” Mr. Vlatakis told Tornos News, adding: “This is not the time for unrest in the industry.”
He warned that images of long waits and delays at airports spread instantly worldwide through social media, damaging so-called “psychological bookings” for October and November.
“No one decides at the last minute to travel to a destination plagued by delays, cancellations, and connectivity problems,” he emphasized. Competing destinations with good weather, competitive prices, and availability — such as Turkey, Egypt, and Spain — risk drawing away potential visitors.
Call to withdraw the bill until after the season
Mr. Vlatakis urged the government to withdraw the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s bill on the administrative restructuring of the Civil Aviation Authority and reopen discussion after the season.
“With mutual understanding, the golden mean can be found without harming tourist flows,” he stressed.
In a joint statement, 20 tourism organizations of Crete, including ACCTA, underlined:
“Tourism and the national economy cannot withstand new blows. Such issues can and must be resolved through consultation, dialogue, and mutual understanding, without undermining the country’s international image and the sustainability of our tourism product.”
