UAE Joins France, Turkey in the Most Disrupted Routes as Greece Faces Major Flight Delays and an Astonishing Eighty-Five Percent Surge in Air Traffic, Straining Airports and Infrastructure in Early 2026

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In early 2026, Greece’s airports have been overwhelmed by a dramatic surge in air traffic, marking an astonishing 85% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. As Greece faces significant flight delays, the UAE now joins France and Turkey among the countries with the most disrupted routes. This surge in traffic is a result of rising demand for international travel, fuelled by both tourism and business activities. The unprecedented growth has placed immense pressure on Greece’s already strained airports and infrastructure, causing widespread disruptions for both passengers and airlines. The combination of delayed flights, overcrowded terminals, and logistical bottlenecks has highlighted the urgent need for airport upgrades and better management systems to accommodate the influx of travellers. This challenge is compounded by weather conditions, staffing shortages, and the increasing reliance on air travel for both leisure and corporate purposes.

Flight disruptions in Greece soared dramatically in the first few weeks of 2026, reflecting a sharp increase in air traffic to and from the country, according to an analysis by AirAdvisor. This global flight compensation and passenger rights service, known for monitoring aviation performance, highlighted a concerning trend: while air traffic surged, so too did flight disruptions, which more than doubled compared to the same period in the previous year.

Based on data from the AirAdvisor’s internal AIRDATA performance monitoring system, the analysis revealed a staggering 85% increase in air traffic between January 1 and February 17, 2026, compared to the same timeframe in 2025. This increase in flight numbers meant that there was a significant spike in delays, with 4.27% of flights experiencing delays of 60 minutes or more—known as LD60+ disruptions. In comparison, during the same period in 2025, only 2.07% of flights experienced delays of 60 minutes or more. This represents a sharp rise in disruptions, and for every 23 flights, one was delayed by at least an hour.

The analysis was based on 74,483 flights operating between January 1 and February 17, 2026. Of these, 3,180 flights suffered significant delays. This was a notable increase compared to 40,291 flights recorded in the same period of 2025, where only 835 flights experienced major delays. This surge in traffic came amid an ongoing recovery in the aviation sector as demand for international travel remained strong, particularly in destinations like Greece, a major hub for tourism. However, this rise in demand has put significant pressure on the air traffic infrastructure, leading to the double-edged sword of more flights but also more disruptions.

One of the most affected routes in terms of disruptions was the Athens–Dubai corridor, which saw a staggering 36.07% of flights delayed by 60 minutes or more. This maintained its position as the most disrupted route for a second consecutive year. The analysis noted that while the overall increase in air traffic had strained the operational systems, some routes were clearly more prone to significant delays. Athens–Paris Charles de Gaulle followed, with 11.37% of flights facing major delays. Athens–Istanbul had 4.49% of flights delayed.

These figures raise concerns about operational resilience within the aviation sector. The increase in flight traffic in such a short span clearly outpaced the expansion of infrastructure, with delays becoming more frequent and widespread. The combination of higher flight volumes and a doubling in the rate of delays suggests that the infrastructure in place at Greek airports and on certain flight routes has not been scaled to meet the rising demand.

While airlines continue to expand their schedules, the increase in delays indicates that operational systems, including airport infrastructure, air traffic management, and scheduling processes, are struggling to handle the surge in travel demand. Despite the rise in demand, the capacity of the operational systems in place has not scaled effectively, leaving travellers at the mercy of delays, cancellations, and general inefficiencies in the system.

The findings also highlight the potential financial and emotional strain on passengers, many of whom may face substantial delays, missed connections, and cancellations during peak travel periods. Under EU regulations, specifically EU261, passengers who experience significant delays or cancellations may be entitled to compensation. This compensation may cover both financial reimbursement and additional services such as accommodation, meals, or transport. However, the scale of disruptions and the complexity of compensation claims may place a strain on passenger rights services, which will need to expand to meet growing demand.

The Athens–Dubai route’s high level of disruptions is particularly concerning for frequent travellers on this corridor. The high percentage of delays points to operational challenges specific to this route, potentially including overcrowded airports, air traffic congestion, or logistical issues. The volume of flights between Athens and Dubai may be overwhelming the available capacity for managing these flights efficiently, resulting in more than one-third of flights on this route being delayed.

The data also points to the need for increased coordination between airlines, airports, and regulatory authorities to ensure that infrastructure investments keep pace with rising demand. Without such measures, these disruptions are likely to become a persistent issue, particularly during peak seasons. This may also impact the reputation of certain airlines and destinations that are frequently plagued by delays, as passengers seek more reliable alternatives.

The disruption data also underscores the broader issue of flight reliability across multiple routes. With Greece being a popular destination for tourists, particularly from the Middle East and Europe, it’s crucial that operational resilience is improved. It’s not just a question of boosting traffic but also ensuring that systems are prepared to handle increased volumes of passengers without a corresponding rise in delays.

AirAdvisor’s report highlights a crucial challenge facing the aviation industry: as demand for air travel rises, there must be a corresponding improvement in operational capacity. Airlines and airports need to invest in better systems, increased staffing, more efficient scheduling, and upgraded infrastructure to ensure that the aviation system remains reliable as the sector continues to recover from the pandemic. Additionally, maintaining transparent communication with passengers will be essential to improving passenger satisfaction and minimizing the frustration caused by delays and cancellations.

As international travel continues to rebound, the aviation industry must recognize the growing pressures on its infrastructure and take proactive measures to avoid further disruptions. Failure to adapt to this growth could result in decreased passenger satisfaction, increased compensation claims, and a less reliable air travel experience for passengers.

In early 2026, Greece faces an 85% surge in air traffic, straining its airports and causing major delays, with the UAE joining France and Turkey in the most disrupted routes. This unprecedented rise in travel demand, fueled by tourism and business, has overwhelmed Greece’s infrastructure, leading to widespread disruptions.

the sharp rise in flight disruptions in Greece early in 2026 signals the challenges the aviation industry faces as it attempts to keep up with growing demand. The need for better infrastructure, scheduling, and operational resilience is clear. With travellers increasingly relying on air travel, ensuring that these disruptions are addressed will be crucial to maintaining the confidence of the flying public.