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A deeply embarrassing systems failure which forced Greece to close its airspace for several hours with pilots unable to speak to air traffic control, has exposed badly outdated communication systems at Athens International Airport - one of the world's top travel destinations.Flights had to be diverted to neighbouring countries with thousands of travellers hit after the "unprecedented" technical malfunction on January 4, which baffled experts.Even more than a week after the chaos, questions as to what sparked the glitch - and how the system returned online - remain unanswered, with a report expected this week.According to the Greek civil aviation authority, the YPA, the malfunction began at 8:59am (0659 GMT) when multiple radio frequencies serving Athens airspace were hit by continuous "noise" interference.The agency's transmitters began sending out "involuntary signal emissions", YPA said.As technicians raced to radio relay stations on top of mountains near Athens and further afield to locate the problem, planes were essentially flying blind, experts said - unable to communicate with air traffic controllers - until the incident began to gradually abate four hours later."Hundreds of flights were directly affected - those in contact with air traffic control or already in the air that changed their route," Foivos Kaperonis, a board member of the Greek air traffic controllers association (EEEK), told AFP.Athens International Airport handled over 280,000 flights last year, an average of over 760 a day.Officials have insisted that Athens airspace was quickly cleared of traffic, and that flight safety was not compromised.The system returned to full operation at 5pm (1500 GMT), with flights restored 45 minutes later, the YPA said.No signs of a cyberattack or intentional sabotage were detected, YPA said. And nothing suspicious was found at the relay stations.Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis later confirmed there was "no sign" of a cyberattack."We have an exact picture of what happened. What we don't yet know is how it happened," Michael Bletsas, one of Greece's top computer engineers and head of the Greek cybersecurity authority, told state TV ERT.Planes "may have flown 'deaf' for a short while... but under no circumstances was there a flight safety problem," he said, with pilots still having their radar."Every system fails at some point," said Bletsas, who is on the committee investigating the incident.Kaperonis is much less sanguine."Air traffic controllers could see the aircraft on the radar display, but they could neither hear the pilots nor speak to them," he said."In other words, if two aircraft had been on a collision course, controllers would not have been able to give them instructions," he said.George Saounatsos, the head of the YPA, said a report on the incident by a hurriedly-convened investigative committee would likely be delivered this week."It was a rare event - it's hard for this to happen again, even statistically," he told Open TV.A major infrastructure overhaul costing 300mn euros ($350mn) is currently underway, which includes digital transmitters that will be delivered this year, Saounatsos said.Greece's junior transport minister has admitted the airport's communications systems should have been upgraded "decades" earlier."These are systems we know are outdated," Konstantinos Kyranakis told Action24 TV.The Athens airport tower radar dates from 1999, air traffic controllers note."Clearly, systems that should have been replaced decades ago, cannot be replaced in nine months," Kyranakis said, who was appointed in March.Four different transport ministers have held the portfolio since 2019 when conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis came to power.Bertrand Vilmer, an aeronautics expert and consultant at Paris-based Icare Aeronautique, said Athens' largely analogue-based systems "are robust, but ones for which there's no longer really any possible maintenance because they're old."Last month the European Commission referred Greece to the EU Court of Justice for failing to put in place measures to design and publish performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures at Greek airports that should have been in place five years ago.Air traffic controllers, who have clashed with YPA for years over staff and infrastructure shortages, insist that the January 4 incident was a debacle waiting to happen.They say that the incident is particularly concerning in a country heavily reliant on tourism that has seen record visitor numbers in recent years."The air traffic control unit where the problem appeared handles up to nearly 5,000 flights per day during the summer season," Kaperonis said.Air traffic controllers require "long rest periods" due to the difficulty of their job, Vilmer said.YPA and the transport minister's office did not respond to questions.Athens International Airport last year handled nearly 34mn passengers, an increase of 6.7% over the previous year.Critics have also noted that Greece's worst rail disaster, when two trains collided in 2023, killing 57 people - which brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets to protest - was also partly caused by chronic infrastructure and staffing failings. 

For a few tense hours on Sunday ‌morning, Greek skies turned into a communications black hole. Air traffic controllers for ‌Athens airport were guiding planes towards ‍the runway when the usual radio chatter suddenly vanished - replaced by a piercing whistle.It quickly became clear that ⁠controllers had lost contact with most aircraft in ⁠Greek airspace, including dozens of incoming flights, according to two controllers and an aviation official on ‍duty at the time.Internet systems also appeared to fail across the board. Even the civil aviation authority's press office resorted to reading statements over the phone rather than sending by email.The outage, which lasted several hours and affected most of Greece's airports, stranded thousands of travellers. Authorities have ruled out a cyberattack, but the cause remains unknown - and officials admit the systems didn't get fixed, they simply came back on their own."Suddenly communications ‌went down. You could only hear a high-pitched whistle," said one controller, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The thing is, we don't know what caused it and how it ended. We want to find out ‍the exact cause to ensure once ⁠and for all that ‌this will not happen again."Controllers managed to identify a couple of working radio frequencies in the tower, but not enough to maintain safe communication with pilots, a senior official said. Within half an hour, Greece took the unprecedented step of suspending flights into and across its airspace.Air traffic controllers from across the region stepped in to help. A controller in a neighbouring country said most communication with Greece was done over the telephone because the usual radios were down."We had a black hole in Greek airspace," said aviation safety expert Faithon Karaiosifidis. "Imagine if it had happened in the summer at the peak of the tourist season. The chaos."The incident ​has reignited calls to upgrade Greece's aviation ‌infrastructure, which unions and experts say is outdated and underfunded after the country's 2009-2018 debt crisis.The government insisted on Monday that modernisation is underway ⁠and that current systems meet ‍EU standards. The plan, which includes updating communication systems, is due for completion in 2028.But last month, the European Commission referred Greece to the EU Court of Justice for failing to implement certain navigation procedures designed to boost safety in low-visibility conditions. It's unclear whether those measures would have made any difference on Sunday - but many worry reform is coming too late."This incident once again exposes ​the critical weaknesses of outdated and underfunded air traffic management infrastructure. Safety was maintained thanks to human expertise - but this cannot continue to compensate for systemic deficiencies," said Panagiotis Psarros, Chair of the Association of Greek Air Traffic Controllers.Experts say the problems go beyond ageing equipment. Radios dating back to the 1990s remain in use, and staffing shortages persist despite a tourism boom that brings millions of visitors to Greece each year."The old technical equipment and the lack of personnel in air traffic controllers and electronic technicians... create a bottleneck," said Karaiosifidis.In September, unions ⁠protested by limiting flight arrivals they said exceeded permitted limits, causing delays. They have now threatened to do the same again. 

The United States lifted airspace restrictions over the Caribbean late on Saturday after barring commercial flights during a US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.Maduro and his wife were flown by helicopter to New York City, where they face drug-trafficking and weapons charges.They were seized by US special forces during a pre-dawn attack in which air strikes pounded sites in and around the Venezuelan capital Caracas late on Saturday.US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post on social media platform X that the initial restrictions expired at 12am (0500 GMT), when flights could resume as scheduled."Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly," Duffy said.The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified commercial airlines on Saturday to avoid Caribbean airspace, citing a "potentially hazardous situation”.The notice said the closure was issued due to "safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity”.**media[400999]**Key carriers United Airlines, American Airlines , Spirit and Delta were readying to resume flights to the Caribbean.In a statement, United said a flight to San Juan in Puerto Rico was planned for Saturday night, adding: "We expect to operate most scheduled flights to the region."Delta Air Lines expects to fly its normal Carribean schedule, it said in a statement, but adjusted to reposition resources.American Airlines said in a statement that it was preparing for the Eastern Caribbean airspace to reopen and had added more than 3,700 extra seats to and from the region on top of resuming scheduled service.It said it was operating extra flights and deploying larger aircraft, including widebodies, to "add as much lift ⁠as possible" to help customers affected by the FAA-mandated closure.Spirit Airlines said in an e-mailed statement that it had resumed flights to and from the Caribbean on January 4, following the expiration of the FAA's airspace closure directive.Even after the removal of curbs, however, airlines will need several days to restore normal operations, said airline analyst Robert Mann, adding: "They have a day's worth of passengers basically" already stranded in the Caribbean.American Airlines, Delta, United, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways began cancelling flights, in line with the FAA airspace closures in the Caribbean.JetBlue canceled 215 flights, an airline spokesperson said.The company said Sunday that it would resume normal operations.Several European and South American airlines also canceled flights.Air Canada said its Caribbean and South American operations were normal, under guidance from Transport Canada, and it was monitoring the situation, adding: "We will update as required if the situation changes." 

Ukraine said on Sunday that a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia had killed one person, as Poland said it had scrambled jets to secure its airspace. Ivan Fedorov, the head of the southeastern Ukrainian region, said on Telegram that a Russian "combined strike" had killed a woman and wounded nine other people.A 16-year-old girl was among those receiving "necessary assistance" from medical personnel after the attack, Fedorov said. He posted photos, seemingly from the site of the attack, showing a partly destroyed multi-storey block and a burnt-out car.A nationwide air alert was in place across Ukraine as of 4:09 am (0109 GMT). Poland's armed forces said on X that they had mobilised planes and put ground defences on high alert to secure the country's airspace, especially in areas close to Ukraine.The mayor of Lviv, a western Ukrainian city near the border with Poland, said public transport routes were not operating due to a "massive enemy attack". Public transport in Ivano-Frankivsk, another western city, would "start running later than usual" on Sunday, its mayor said.Russia has also stepped up its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as the weather chills. Fedorov said on Sunday that Russia's overnight attack left "more than 73,000 consumers... without electricity" in Zaporizhzhia, and the Lviv mayor said part of the city had no power.This week, Moscow launched its largest-ever strike on Ukraine's gas infrastructure, while strikes on Saturday cut off power to around 50,000 households in the northern Chernigiv region.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for a firm and prudent response to Russia's repeated violations of NATO airspace over Poland and Estonia. In a statement before leaving Berlin for Poland, Wadephul affirmed Germany's support for Poland, saying that they stand united, maintain calm, and will not allow themselves to be drawn into escalation, leaving no room for doubt about their determination and readiness to jointly confront any threat. He stressed that Moscow's repeated breaches were not accidental mistakes, but rather deliberate attacks, describing them as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's hybrid aggression. Such provocations are extremely dangerous, and their sole purpose is to test determination, Wadephul added. Warsaw announced that numerous Russian drones had violated Polish airspace, meaning NATO airspace, during a Russian air attack on Ukraine about two weeks ago, adding that the Polish air force and other NATO allies shot down some of these drones for the first time.

Ukraine said Sunday that Russia pounded the country with "hundreds" of drones and missiles overnight, wounding at least 10 people, as neighbouring Poland scrambled jets to secure its airspace. The attacks came after Russia warned NATO against taking sterner action in response to alleged incursions into airspace covered by the military alliance.They also followed the revelation by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Kyiv had received a US-made Patriot air defence system from Israel for use against Russian assaults. "Russia launched another massive air attack on Ukrainian cities while people were sleeping," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on X."Again, hundreds of drones and missiles, destroying residential buildings and causing civilian casualties," he said. He posted footage of flames bursting from the windows of a multi-storey apartment block, which Sybiga said was as a result of the attack.Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram that the Ukrainian capital was under a "massive" assault and urged people to stay in shelters. He said at least six people had been wounded "as a result of the enemy's attack", five of whom were treated in hospital and one at the scene.The governor of the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region said Russian strikes there had wounded at least four people.Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, accused Moscow of waging a "war against civilians". "There will be a response to these actions. But the West's economic blows against Russia must also be stronger," Yermak said.Poland's armed forces said on X that they had scrambled fighter jets in its airspace and put ground-based air defence systems on high alert in response to the Russian strikes in Ukraine.The moves were preventive and aimed at securing Polish airspace and protecting citizens, especially in areas close to Ukraine, the forces said. 'They will regret it'In recent weeks, several European countries have accused Russia of violating their airspace with drones and fighter jets, in what NATO has viewed as a test of its resolve.Russia has denied that it is responsible for the incursions or that it plans to attack any NATO nation.Speaking during an address at the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said "any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response".Speaking later to reporters, Lavrov said that if any country downs objects still within Russian airspace, "they will very much regret it".After returning from his own trip to New York, where he also addressed the UN, Zelensky told reporters that "the Israeli (Patriot) system is operating in Ukraine", adding that Kyiv would receive two more this autumn.While initially neutral in the conflict, Israel's ties with Moscow have cooled as Russia has drifted closer to Iran and condemned Israel's war in Gaza.Kyiv and Moscow also said on Saturday that the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant -- Europe's largest -- had been off the grid for four days, stoking fears of a potential nuclear incident.

Denmark's Aalborg airport, used for commercial and military flights, was closed due to drones in its airspace, police said early on Thursday. This comes two days after the country's main Copenhagen airport was shut over drone sightings that raised European security concerns. Danish national police said the drones followed a similar pattern to the ones that had halted flights at Copenhagen airport for four hours a few days earlier. The closure of Aalborg airport also affected Denmark's armed forces because it is used as a military base, police added.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki called on NATO to strengthen deterrence following an incursion of Russian drones into Poland's airspace. In an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper, Nawrocki said: "We must do everything to be ready for war, because only that ensures peace." He added he expected "such attacks on NATO territory" would not happen again and that the alliance would be even better prepared.Only three or four drones were shot down, but the president expressed satisfaction that no Polish soldiers or civilians were killed.Nawrocki said he was confident the attack was "directly controlled from Moscow" and a demonstration of Russian President Vladimir Putin's capabilities.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that a drone that violated his country's airspace was shot down. Poland's State Protection Service neutralized a drone operating over sensitive government sites, Tusk said on X platform.Two people were detained in connection with the incident and police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, Tusk added.NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently announced that the alliance would significantly strengthen its defenses on its eastern front, following the Russian drone incursion into Poland's airspace, a member of the alliance.

Romania's Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned the Russian ambassador to Bucharest over the entry of a Russian drone into its airspace during an attack on Ukraine. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said that Russia's ambassador to Bucharest, Vladimir Lipaev, was summoned to the ministry and that Romania conveyed its strong protest against this act, adding that Moscow's actions pose a "new challenge" to Black Sea security.Earlier today, Romania strongly condemned the entry of a Russian drone into its airspace during an attack on neighboring Ukraine. The incursion comes days after Poland said it had shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace.In a statement, Romania's defense ministry said it "strongly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area."