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Aegean Joins Olympic Air, British Airways, and More Face Life-Threatening Emergency Landings Across Greece: New Reports Unveil
Greece’s skies are busy with domestic flights linking the islands with the mainland, international services connecting Europe to Asia and the Middle East, and a fleet of aerial‑firefighting aircraft that protect one of Europe’s most fire‑prone regions. Between January 2022 and December 2025, a number of aircraft confronted in‑flight emergencies that led to unscheduled landings on Greek soil or involved Greek operators abroad. Each episode drew prompt responses from pilots, airport authorities and airlines and was later confirmed through official statements. This article chronicles those emergency landings chronologically, relying on verified announcements without speculating on unconfirmed reports.
July 2022 – cargo plane crash near Kavala
On 16 July 2022, a Ukrainian Antonov An‑12 cargo aircraft carrying munitions from Serbia to Bangladesh experienced engine trouble over northern Greece. The pilot requested an emergency landing at Kavala, and air‑traffic controllers cleared the aircraft to attempt an approach. Before it could reach the airport, radio contact was lost and the aircraft crashed near the village of Antifilippi. All eight crew members perished. Authorities later confirmed that the pilot had reported an engine problem and that permission for an emergency landing had been granted[1]. The crash highlighted risks faced by cargo crews ferrying dangerous goods and prompted investigations by Greek and Ukrainian officials.
August 2022 – Jet2 flight to Antalya
Roughly a month later, on 23 August 2022, a Jet2 flight (LS 1239) from Birmingham to Antalya was over the northern Aegean when the captain became unwell and lost consciousness. Following standard procedure, the first officer declared an emergency and diverted the Boeing 737‑800 to Thessaloniki’s Makedonia Airport. A replacement crew was flown to Greece to continue the journey and passengers were provided with refreshments and accommodations. In an official statement the airline explained that the diversion was precautionary, that the captain was attended to by medical personnel, and that customers were “well looked after”[2].
November 2022 – Emirates flights disrupted by terror alert
On 10 November 2022, security services in the United States relayed intelligence suggesting a possible terror threat against international flights. Greek authorities acted immediately, intercepting two Emirates services: a Dubai–New York flight already en route over the Atlantic and a Paris‑bound flight still on the ground in Athens. The New York‑bound aircraft was diverted to Athens, escorted by fighter jets, and landed safely for a search. The Paris flight remained grounded. After passengers and baggage were screened, a police spokesperson reported that no suspect or suspicious item was found on either aircraft and that the alert had not been confirmed[3]. Although the threat proved unfounded, the episode demonstrated the readiness of Greek authorities to respond to international security alerts.
July 2023 – Aegean flight A3 560 to Barcelona
On 3 July 2023 an Airbus A320 operated by Aegean Airlines on flight A3 560 from Thessaloniki to Barcelona experienced a loss of cabin pressure over the Tyrrhenian Sea. According to the airline’s official communication, the flight crew observed a gradual decompression and, in line with emergency checklists, requested a diversion to the nearest suitable airport. Air‑traffic control directed the aircraft to Naples, where it landed safely. All 156 passengers and six crew members disembarked without injury, and the airline dispatched another aircraft to continue the journey[4]. The incident underscored the importance of aircraft pressurisation monitoring and the professionalism of the flight crew.
February 2024 – El Al flight from Prague
In February 2024, an El Al flight from Prague to Tel Aviv (LY 2522) encountered a violent passenger who attempted to enter the cockpit. The crew and onboard security subdued the individual, and the captain diverted the Boeing 737 to Thessaloniki, where Greek police boarded the aircraft and removed the suspect. In a formal statement, the airline said it maintained a zero‑tolerance policy for violence, praised the crew for prioritising safety and noted that the disruptive passenger was handed over to local authorities for investigation[5]. After the security check, the aircraft continued to Israel.
July 2024 – London–Chania flight hydraulic issue
On 20 July 2024, an aircraft with 233 people aboard departed London for Chania, Crete. Shortly before reaching cruising altitude, the crew reported problems with the hydraulic system and declared an emergency. The flight returned to Athens International Airport. Greek authorities later confirmed that all passengers and crew were unharmed and clarified that the technical problem was unrelated to a global IT outage affecting airports the same day[6]. The precautionary diversion resulted in minor delays but no injuries.
November 2024 – British Airways flight BA9250
A few months later, on 24 November 2024, a British Airways Airbus A320neo operating flight BA9250 from Athens to London encountered a suspected pressurisation issue about thirty minutes into the journey. The pilots declared an emergency (squawk 7700) and returned to Athens. After landing, engineers examined the aircraft. In an official release, the airline thanked its crew for handling the situation professionally, expressed appreciation for passengers’ cooperation and arranged accommodation and rebooking for travellers whose plans were disrupted[7]. The statement noted that safety remained the company’s foremost priority.
February 2025 – EasyJet diversion to Athens
On 9 February 2025 an EasyJet flight from Hurghada, Egypt, to Manchester experienced a medical emergency when the captain became ill. The first officer assumed command and diverted the Airbus A320 to Athens. The aircraft landed safely, and the incapacitated captain received medical attention. The airline’s statement explained that the diversion was necessary because the pilot required immediate care and noted that passengers were provided with hotel accommodation, meals and a subsequent flight to Manchester[8]. EasyJet apologised for the delay but emphasised that the crew followed established protocols to ensure everyone’s safety.
April 2025 – Olympic Air flight OA 250 to Mytilene
On 1 April 2025, a domestic Olympic Air flight (OA 250) from Athens to Mytilene triggered an engine‑fire warning after landing. The captain stopped the ATR‑42 on the taxiway, alerted airport authorities and ordered an immediate evacuation. According to the company’s official announcement, all 59 passengers and four crew members disembarked safely, no actual fire was found and the aircraft later taxied under its own power[9]. The airline sent a replacement aircraft to operate the return flight and emphasised that safety procedures were correctly followed.
June 2025 – Olympic Air flight OA 017 from Naxos
A few weeks later, on 9 June 2025, another Olympic Air turboprop (flight OA 017 from Naxos to Athens) experienced an engine‑fire alert shortly after take‑off. Following checklist procedures, the captain returned to Naxos and initiated an evacuation. In its official statement the parent airline explained that the alert was later determined to be false, but that the pilot’s decision to land and evacuate was consistent with safety protocols[10]. Engineers inspected the aircraft, and a replacement plane transported passengers to Athens.
July 2025 – Canadair CL‑215 water landing
Not all emergency landings involved commercial flights. On 25 July 2025, a Canadair CL‑215 firefighting aircraft operating from the 355th Tactical Transport Squadron encountered a mechanical failure while scooping water near Vrachati in the Corinthian Gulf. The twin‑engine amphibious plane could not sustain flight on one engine and performed a controlled landing on the sea. A formal statement from the Hellenic Air Force reported that the crew followed protocol by shutting down the engines and waiting for assistance; the aircraft was later towed to the port of Kiato for inspection, and a specialist team was assigned to investigate the malfunction[11]. Both pilots were unharmed and lauded for their professionalism during the water landing.
Conclusion
The series of emergency landings experienced by flights connected with Greece between 2022 and 2025 underscores the complexity of modern aviation and the importance of preparedness. Mechanical issues such as pressurisation or hydraulic problems, medical emergencies, engine warnings and even unruly passengers can prompt a diversion or unscheduled landing. In each case described here, official statements reveal a consistent theme: pilots followed established procedures, cabin crews ensured calm, airport authorities mobilised emergency services, and airlines provided support to passengers. The responsive coordination among flight crews, air‑traffic control and ground personnel ensured that no injuries occurred during these incidents. Even in the tragic cargo‑plane crash near Kavala, the pilot’s attempt to obtain permission for an emergency landing and the subsequent investigation illustrate transparency and adherence to safety protocols[1]. As Greece continues to serve as a hub for tourism, trade and firefighting operations, these episodes highlight both the inherent risks of aviation and the effectiveness of coordinated emergency responses.
References
- Official reports on the 2022 cargo plane crash near Kavala, quoting authorities about the pilot’s request for an emergency landing and the loss of contact[1].
- Jet2 spokesperson’s statement after the August 2022 diversion to Thessaloniki[2].
- Greek police announcement following the Emirates flights search on 10 November 2022[3].
- Aegean Airlines’ announcement after flight A3 560’s decompression and diversion to Naples on 3 July 2023[4].
- El Al’s statement regarding the diversion of flight LY 2522 to Thessaloniki in February 2024[5].
- Greek authorities’ confirmation of a hydraulic problem on a London–Chania flight on 20 July 2024[6].
- British Airways’ official communication following flight BA9250’s return to Athens on 24 November 2024[7].
- EasyJet’s announcement about the diversion of its Hurghada–Manchester flight to Athens on 9 February 2025[8].
- Olympic Air’s official statement after the engine‑fire indication on flight OA 250 at Mytilene on 1 April 2025[9].
- Aegean’s communication about flight OA 017’s engine‑fire alert and return to Naxos on 9 June 2025[10].
- Hellenic Air Force statement on the Canadair CL‑215’s emergency water landing on 25 July 2025[11].
- Additional context from Greek authorities’ confirmation that passengers were uninjured after the Athens diversion linked to a hydraulic issue[6] (included again for completeness).
