Flight Delayed or Cancelled in Greece? EU261 Rights at Athens and the Islands
Island hopping in Greece often means short flights with tight connections, and one late aircraft can strand you on Santorini or Rhodes. EU261 applies to flights leaving Greek airports and to EU airlines flying into Greece from outside the EU.
Main airports and airlines in Greece
Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is the hub of Aegean Airlines (and its regional arm Olympic Air). Sky Express is another Greek airline. Thessaloniki (SKG) is the second city airport, and busy island airports include Heraklion (HER), Chania (CHQ), Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU), Santorini (JTR) and Mykonos (JMK).
When EU261 applies to flights in Greece
Whether EU261 covers you depends on where you departed and who flew you. It generally applies when:
- You depart from an airport in Greece, on any airline. That includes island flights and summer charters to non-EU countries.
- You fly into Greece from outside the EU on an airline licensed in the EU. An Aegean flight into Athens from outside the EU is covered.
For an island connection via Athens booked on one ticket, the distance is generally measured from your first airport to your final destination.
Delays: care, re-routing and refunds
Waiting triggers the airline's duty of care: meals and refreshments, two calls or emails, and a hotel plus transport if you must stay overnight. It applies after 2 hours for flights of 1,500 km or less (Athens to Santorini, about 220 km), 3 hours for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and other flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km (Athens to Paris, about 2,110 km), and 4 hours for longer flights (Athens to New York, about 7,930 km). Once a delay hits 5 hours, you can drop the flight and ask for a refund. A cancelled flight gives you the choice of a refund or re-routing, now or later.
The fixed amounts in the regulation
For arrival delays of 3 hours or more, short-notice cancellations (under 14 days) and denied boarding, the regulation sets €250 for flights of 1,500 km or less, €400 for longer flights within the EU and other flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km, and €600 for other flights over 3,500 km, which can be halved in some cases if you arrive within 4 hours of schedule. These are what the regulation sets, not a promise.
Extraordinary circumstances and local disruptions
The main exception is extraordinary circumstances: unsafe weather, ATC restrictions and strikes, security incidents and similar events outside the airline's control. Routine defects and strikes by the airline's own crew have generally not been accepted by the EU Court of Justice. The duty of care continues regardless. Greek general strikes have at times included air traffic controllers. On 28 February 2025, controllers joined a 24-hour general strike and commercial flights to and from Greek airports were grounded for the day. ATC strikes are generally treated as extraordinary. Summer winds and peak-season congestion at island airports can also cause delays, and congestion that an airline could plan for is not automatically extraordinary.
Where to complain in Greece
Write to the airline first and keep a copy. If that does not resolve it, contact the national enforcement body in the country where the problem happened. Greece's national enforcement body is the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), Passenger Rights section, based at Athens International Airport. Information is in Greek and English: hcaa.gov.gr.
Coming in 2027: Regulation (EU) 2026/2202 amends EU261. Most changes apply from 23 October 2027, including a general nine-month deadline for compensation requests. Until then, the current rules above apply.
FAQ
Is a short island flight like Athens to Mykonos covered? Yes. Domestic flights departing from Greek airports are covered by EU261.
My flight was cancelled because of a general strike. What applies? The airline must offer a refund or re-routing and provide care. If air traffic controllers were striking, the fixed amounts usually do not apply.
Who enforces EU261 in Greece? The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA).
Related guides
- EU261 guide (en español)
- Flight cancelled: your options
- Missed connection guide
- All Europe flight delay guides
Create your letter
Delay Draft writes a clear letter you send to the airline yourself ($9.99 for 1 to 2 travelers, $24.99 for 3 to 6). We are not a law firm and do not file claims for you. Questions: claims@delaydraft.com.