Athens Airport: Impact Of Fires And Recovery Efforts

In August 2024, wildfires raged across forests north of Athens, Greece, causing thousands of residents to evacuate. The fires were reported to be the worst in the Mediterranean country that year, burning 40 square miles of land, killing a factory worker, damaging businesses, and leaving homes uninhabitable. While there were no disruptions at Athens Airport, smoke was visible to those landing and taking off. As of 15 August 2024, there were no active fires in the wider Athens region, but residual flare-ups remained a risk.

Athens airport unaffected by fires

Athens airport remains open and fully operational despite the wildfires that have been raging in the forests north of Athens since 10 August 2024. As of 13 August, no airlines have altered their flight schedules or cancelled flights to or from Athens.

On 12 August, a travel specialist with expertise in Greece, Ronnie Liadis, commented that the "main concern is if the fires get any closer to Athens, flights will be affected". This is because the airport is located north of Athens, in the same direction as the fires. However, it is important to note that the area surrounding the airport is partly built-up and has very little vegetation, reducing the immediate threat to the airport.

Athens-based travel planner, Jacoline Vinke, also confirmed that "flights are not affected" by the fires. She advised travellers to adjust their activities in Athens due to the heat and air quality, suggesting indoor options like visiting a museum instead of outdoor activities such as climbing up Filopappou Hill.

While the wildfires have not directly impacted flight operations at Athens airport, the smoke from the fires has been visible to those taking off and landing. Despite the challenging conditions, the dedication and efforts of emergency services, firefighters, and volunteers have been instrumental in combating the blazes and minimising disruptions.

As of Wednesday, 15 August, there were no active fires in the wider Athens region, according to Greece's chief fire brigade spokesperson. However, it is important to monitor the situation closely as residual flare-ups still pose a risk.

No flight cancellations or disruptions

As of 15 August 2024, there have been no flight cancellations or disruptions at Athens Airport, despite the dangerous wildfires that have been raging near the Greek capital. While the fires have forced thousands of residents to evacuate the suburbs north of Athens, the airport has not been affected.

Athens-based travel specialist Jacoline Vinke confirmed that "the fires are not in a touristic area; flights are not affected and there has been no personal danger for anyone." She added that while the air quality may not be ideal for people with respiratory issues, there is no reason to stay away from Athens or change travel plans.

As of 13 August 2024, flights were continuing as normal at Athens Airport, with no disruptions reported. Smoke could be seen from planes taking off, but the airport itself was not under any immediate threat. The standard approach for arriving aircraft was to loop around to the south of Athens, over the Saronic Gulf, and land from southwest to northeast. Departing aircraft were taking off normally over the Petalioi Gulf.

Several airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Aegean, and SkyExpress, were operating direct flights to the Greek islands of Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, and Corfu, avoiding Athens altogether.

As of 12 August 2024, no airlines had altered their flight schedules or cancelled any flights to Athens. However, some airlines, such as Jet2, were monitoring the situation closely and advising passengers to allow extra time for their journey to the airport due to potential road closures. EasyJet also stated that they were closely monitoring the situation and following the advice of relevant authorities, with the safety and well-being of their passengers and crew being their highest priority.

While the wildfires near Athens have had a devastating impact on the surrounding areas, the airport has remained operational throughout, with no cancellations or disruptions reported.

Ferry travel impacted

Ferry travel has been impacted by the fires in Athens, Greece. The coast guard has redirected all ferries from the Rafina port in Athens to Laviro, a port located further south. This is due to the fire's proximity to the Rafina port, which previously saw dozens of people killed in wildfires in 2018.

Lavrio is a smaller port than Rafina and may struggle to accommodate the usual number of ferries that serve Rafina. Reports indicate that ferries such as Superrunner Jet, Andros Queen, and Theologos P have been diverted to Lavrio.

The fire has impacted ferry travel to and from the Cycladic islands and Crete, which are usually served by the Rafina port. Travellers planning to take ferries from Rafina should expect disruptions and delays due to the diversion. It is recommended that they check for updates and allow for extra time in their travel plans.

The fire has also led to evacuations by ferry, with a flotilla of ships, including Coast Guard patrols, ferries, passenger ships, and fishing boats, on standby to evacuate residents and tourists if needed. About 1,400 people were evacuated from a seaside village and island beaches near Rafina by a variety of boats as the fire approached.

The impact on ferry travel is expected to continue until the fire is fully contained and it is safe for ferries to resume their usual routes. Travellers are advised to follow official updates and advisories regarding ferry travel in the affected areas.

Dangerous air quality

The wildfires in Athens, Greece, have resulted in dangerous air quality, with thick smoke blanketing the city and affecting the health of residents and tourists. The air quality has deteriorated to the extent that authorities have issued warnings for individuals with respiratory issues to exercise caution when leaving their homes. Power cuts have also been reported in several parts of Athens, now filled with the smell of burning.

The fires, which began on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in the forests north of Athens, were fuelled by strong winds and high temperatures, creating ideal conditions for the fire to spread. By Monday, August 12, the fire had reached the suburbs of Athens, with residents of over 25 areas forced to evacuate. The fire department reported that more than a dozen people were treated for smoke inhalation, and five firefighters suffered light burns and breathing problems.

The situation has been described as a "biblical catastrophe" by officials, with the fire engulfing forests, homes, and businesses. The dense smoke has reduced visibility, making it difficult for firefighters to control the blaze. Athens-based travel specialist Jacoline Vinke advised visitors to adjust their activities, avoiding long walks in the middle of the day and opting for indoor attractions instead.

The US Embassy in Athens has issued a Natural Disaster Alert, advising US citizens to "exercise extreme caution" in areas impacted by the wildfires. The alert highlights the Very High Fire Risk (Risk Category 4) and Extreme Fire Risk (Risk Category 5) announced by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for many areas in Greece, including those close to Athens.

While there have been no disruptions reported at Athens Airport, the proximity of the fires to the airport and the city has raised concerns. The airport's location, partly in an built-up area and partly in an open area with little vegetation, has somewhat mitigated the immediate threat. However, the potential impact on flight operations remains a concern, and airlines and travellers are monitoring the situation closely.

The Greek authorities have not declared a state of emergency in Athens, and no airlines have altered their flight schedules or cancelled flights as of yet. However, travellers are advised to stay updated with the latest official advice and check with their airlines before travelling.

Evacuation orders

The wildfires in Athens, Greece, have forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The fire department and police reported evacuating more than 250 people from the affected areas. The exact number of evacuees is unclear, as the fire occurred during the height of the summer holiday season.

The evacuation orders were issued for more than 25 areas, including the suburbs of Nea Penteli, Palaia Penteli, Patima Chalandri, and Vrilissia. Three hospitals, including a children's hospital, two monasteries, and a children's home, were also evacuated.

The fires broke out on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Varnavas, a village located 35km (20-22 miles) north of Athens. Strong winds and high temperatures caused the fire to spread quickly through the nearby pine forests, reaching the outskirts of Athens by Monday.

The historic town of Marathon, known for giving its name to the long-distance race, was also evacuated. The town's mayor, Stergios Tsirkas, described the situation as a "biblical catastrophe."

The US Embassy in Athens issued a Natural Disaster Alert, advising US citizens to "exercise extreme caution" in areas impacted by the wildfires and to follow instructions from local authorities.

The Greek authorities requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and several countries offered to help, including France, Italy, Turkey, and the Czech Republic.

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