All flights to and from Crete will be grounded this Friday as Greece braces for a 24-hour nationwide general strike affecting all transportation services across the country. The strike, which marks the second anniversary of the tragic Tempe rail disaster that claimed 57 lives, will bring air travel to a complete standstill on February 28, 2025.
Complete Shutdown of Air Traffic
The industrial action will run from 00:01 to 23:59 on Friday, February 28, 2025, with air traffic controllers joining numerous other transportation workers in the coordinated protest. The impact on Crete will be comprehensive, with all commercial flights to and from Heraklion and Chania airports canceled for the entire day. Only emergency flights, including medical evacuations and government transport, will be permitted to operate. This shutdown affects both domestic and international connections, effectively isolating the island from air travel for a full 24 hours.
Airline Cancellations
Major carriers serving Crete have announced extensive flight cancellations for the strike day:
- Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air have canceled all domestic and international flights on February 28, with only a few exceptions for late-night services to Larnaca, Yerevan, and Cairo
- SKY Express has canceled most of its scheduled flights affecting inter-island travel
- Cyprus Airways has announced adjusted schedules for flights between Larnaca and Athens, which may affect connecting travelers to Crete
- International airlines with routes to Crete are expected to follow suit with similar cancellations
The impact extends beyond February 28, with several flights on Thursday (February 27) and Saturday (March 1) also affected due to aircraft positioning issues and crew scheduling. Travelers should be aware that this creates a ripple effect that could disrupt Crete travel plans even if they’re not flying directly on the strike day.
Extended Impact on Crete Travel
Visitors already on the island or planning to travel to Crete should be aware that the strike’s impact extends far beyond air travel. The following transportation services will all be affected:
- Ferry services connecting Crete to mainland Greece and other islands will not operate
- Public buses on the island may run on limited schedules or cease operations entirely
- Taxi services might join the strike action or face overwhelming demand from stranded travelers
- All major transportation routes to and from the island will be effectively cut off
This disruption comes at a particularly challenging time when Crete is preparing for the upcoming tourist season, with many businesses and hospitality providers conducting preparations and renovations ahead of the spring influx of visitors. Local authorities are advising visitors to plan accordingly and avoid any non-essential travel on February 28.
Options for Affected Travelers
Aegean Airlines has announced it will arrange additional flights and increase seat capacity on both domestic and international routes immediately before and after February 28 to accommodate affected passengers. Specifically for Crete travelers, additional Athens-Heraklion flights will operate late on February 27 (departure 22:50) and early on March 1. Seat capacity will also be increased on available flights between Athens and Chania during this period to help mitigate the disruption.
Wider Context of the Strike
The nationwide strike commemorates the second anniversary of the Tempe rail crash in Northern Greece. On February 28, 2023, a devastating head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train near the Vale of Tempe claimed 57 lives, mostly young university students returning to Thessaloniki after a holiday weekend. The disaster, considered Greece’s deadliest rail accident in history, was attributed to multiple systemic failures, including outdated signaling systems, inadequate safety protocols, and human error.
In the aftermath, investigations revealed years of underinvestment in railway infrastructure and safety systems. Labor unions organizing the protest are demanding justice for the victims and pushing for greater transportation safety reforms across Greece, as many promised improvements to the national rail system remain incomplete two years after the tragedy.
The timing is particularly significant as it comes just months after Crete implemented new safety measures at some of its major tourist attractions, including the Samaria Gorge, following several safety incidents in 2024. The most serious of these occurred on September 9, 2024, when a 67-year-old German tourist suffered a fatal heart attack about 2 kilometers from the Agia Roumeli exit. This tragedy prompted Greek authorities to establish additional medical stations along the 16-kilometer route, improve emergency response protocols, and implement stricter entrance requirements regarding visitors’ physical fitness and appropriate equipment.
Advice for Visitors
If you’re planning to travel to or from Crete on or around February 28, immediate action is recommended. Contact your airline as soon as possible regarding cancellations and rebooking options, as seats on alternative dates are filling quickly. Consider rescheduling your trip entirely to avoid traveling on February 28, as the complete transportation shutdown will make reaching your destination extremely difficult.
For those already on the island during the strike:
- Prepare for an additional day’s stay and confirm accommodation arrangements immediately
- Keep essential supplies on hand, as some stores may operate with limited hours
- Monitor announcements from Greek authorities and transportation providers for updates
Check with your hotel or accommodation provider about potential shuttle services during the strike, as transportation options will be severely limited throughout the day.
Published on: February 26th, 2025
