The Greek airport, where most flights were paralyzed due to communication problems, was restored in a day, but the old control system was put on the chopping block as it was known to have been restored naturally, not repaired.
According to dpa and Bloomberg News, all airports across Greece, where takeoff and landing were impossible the day before, are back in normal operation.
“There was no risk to aviation safety in this accident,” Greek Transport Minister Christos Dimas said. “We will reprimand those responsible.”
The previous day, take-off and landing were suspended at all airports across Greece, including the capital Athens International Airport and the second city Thessaloniki International Airport, due to a central wireless communication network problem at the Greek airspace control center.
The sudden flight paralysis left thousands of travelers stranded as they tried to return to their daily lives after the end of the year holiday.
Greek authorities are investigating the exact cause, excluding the possibility of cyberattacks or political sabotage.
However, as it is known that the communication failure has not been repaired, but has been restored by itself, voices calling for repairing the old control system are gaining momentum.
Regarding the possibility of system aging, Minister Dimas explained, “It is true that the system is old, but it is at a level that meets European standards.”
Greece is seeking to modernize its aviation system with the European Commission by 2028.
However, the EU Commission referred Greece to the EU Court of Justice last month, saying Greek authorities did not take necessary safety measures when the clock was not secured.
“This case once again reveals the vulnerability of air traffic management infrastructure suffering from financial shortages and aging,” said Panayotis Psaros, chairman of the Greek Air Traffic Controller Association.
SAM KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
