ATHENS, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- A series of technical malfunctions at Athens International Airport earlier this week disrupted air traffic operations and caused widespread delays, Greek aviation authorities and local media reported on Friday.
Late on Aug. 19, a radar system fault caused the air traffic control network to temporarily lose coverage of a key approach point used for landings and takeoffs at the airport. At the same time, backup frequency transceivers were rendered inoperative, according to the English-language edition of Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
Although the incident occurred late at night and did not immediately affect operations, delays began to accumulate the following day. Repairs to the radar system were completed on Aug. 20, while the backup transceivers were restored on Aug. 21, officials said.
To ensure safety, air traffic was reduced from the maximum of 28 arrivals and 35 departures per hour to 22 arrivals, according to the air traffic controllers' union. On average, flights were delayed by about 45 minutes, with some delays extending to more than an hour.
Eurocontrol data show that Greece remains among the top contributors to flight delays in Europe, with Athens International Airport accounting for 16 percent of delays in the week ending Aug. 10.
