Greece & Balkans Aviation Weekly

Gary Fradelos

4 minutes ago

4 min read

Week 45 | 02–08 November 2026

A week of security alerts across Europe underscored how quickly threats to individual flights can disrupt operations across multiple countries. In Greece and Southeast Europe, attention also turned to island access during major runway works, long-term airport capacity planning and continued passenger growth at Greek airports.

European Flights Disrupted by Wave of Bomb Threats, Cause Unclear

More than 30 European flights faced security alerts or diversions during the week, with at least 25 further bomb threats reported on Thursday, 5 November. The incidents affected airports and routes across several countries, prompting diversions, aircraft searches and fighter escorts. At the time of reporting, authorities had found no suspicious devices and the incidents investigated had been treated as false alarms.

The scale of the alerts disrupted airline schedules and passenger journeys, even as no clear pattern emerged in the airports or carriers targeted. European officials cautioned against drawing conclusions about whether the incidents were connected, and no responsible group or state actor had been identified. The response highlighted the operational challenge for airlines and authorities: each threat must be assessed and acted on while protecting passengers and maintaining the wider air network.

Close-up view of a modern jet engine fan showing dark turbine blades surrounding a central black spinner cone with bright orange spiral markings and a white tip.

Chios Airport Closure Plan Faces Local Challenge Ahead of Runway Works

A four-month suspension of commercial flights at Chios Airport is planned from 15 November to allow runway reconstruction and expansion works to continue. The closure was confirmed at a meeting involving government representatives and the island’s delegation, but local officials and technical professionals have raised concerns about the effects on access to the island during winter.

Around 90,000 passengers used Chios Airport during the comparable period last year, according to the report, leaving ferry services to absorb travel demand during the shutdown. Local representatives have questioned the project’s progress and called for the closure notice to be withdrawn or the timetable reconsidered. The dispute brings the challenge of delivering airport infrastructure works into focus alongside the transport needs of an island community.

A passenger airplane flying through a bright blue sky, ascending near a soft white cloud in the lower-right corner.

Montenegro Seeks IATA Input for Podgorica and Tivat Airport Plan

Montenegro’s transport minister has asked IATA for advisory support as the government prepares the terms of reference for a long-term master plan for Podgorica and Tivat airports. The plan is intended to set out future infrastructure needs, investment priorities and implementation stages; IATA has been asked for methodological guidance, not appointed to produce the plan.

The two-airport system handles slightly more than three million passengers a year, with traffic concentrated in a short summer peak. Tivat’s constrained site and proximity to a protected natural area add complexity to its development. The planning process is intended to establish a framework for capacity and investment decisions as Montenegro’s airports serve growing and highly seasonal demand.

Aerial view of the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, featuring the two islets of Saint George and Our Lady of the Rocks surrounded by blue water and boats, set against a backdrop of steep coastal mountains.

Fraport Reports Record Passenger Volumes at Its Greek Airports

Fraport’s results for the first nine months of 2026 showed passenger volumes at its Greek airports up 5.1% year on year, reaching a new record for the period. The company also reported that Fraport Greece recorded the largest revenue increase among its international subsidiaries, at €39.3 million after adjustment for construction-related revenue.

The results show the importance of Fraport’s international portfolio to group performance, with growth also reported in Ljubljana and Bulgaria. For Greece, the record passenger figure reflects continued demand across the regional airport network beyond the peak summer months.

Interior view of an airplane cabin bathed in warm, golden sunset light shining through the windows, highlighting rows of passenger seats equipped with seatback entertainment screens.

Additional Industry Developments

Routes & Networks Latest
Aviation Week’s rolling Routes & Networks roundup for the week of 2 November included Flydubai’s planned return to Skopje–Dubai service in April 2027 and Ryanair’s planned Bratislava–Chania route from March. Both additions would expand links between Southeast Europe and other European and international markets.

Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates | W/C Nov. 2, 2026

EUROCONTROL’s European Network Operations Plan
2027 Rolling Seasonal Plan
EUROCONTROL’s latest rolling Network Operations Plan lists airport works that could affect capacity across Europe in the coming weeks. The planned works include runway closures at Nice and Naples, while Athens is scheduled to operate with a single runway from 5 November to 18 December during the closure of runway 03L/21R. The report places the Athens works among a wider set of operational constraints in the European network.

European Network Operations Plan 2026 Rolling Seasonal Plan

Wizz Air Adds a 15th Tirana Aircraft and Targets 9 Million Seats in Albania
Wizz Air plans to base a 15th aircraft at Tirana and says it is targeting nine million seats to and from Albania in 2027, an 11% increase on 2026. The airline also outlined winter network changes and higher frequencies on several existing routes, extending its capacity growth in the Albanian market.
Polaris Airlines Begins Scheduled Service from Chișinău
Moldovan start-up Polaris Airlines began scheduled service between Chișinău and Istanbul on 5 November, initially operating four times a week with an Airbus A321. The carrier plans to add six European routes later in November, including services to Bologna, Prague, Verona, Milan, Rome and Dublin, adding a new competitor to Chișinău’s winter network.

Outlook

Week 45 brought European aviation security and operational resilience into focus, alongside airport access concerns, long-term planning and passenger growth across the region.

As the aviation industry continues operating under the Winter 2026/27 schedule across Greece and Southeast Europe, Greece & Balkans Aviation Weekly will continue bringing you independent, reliable and timely coverage of the stories driving regional aviation—from airport operations and airline strategy to tourism, infrastructure and regulation, where regional connectivity, tourism and aviation strategy continue shaping the skies of Southeast Europe.

We look forward to welcoming you back next week for another edition of Greece & Balkans Aviation Weekly. References