Flight cancellations

Chat about anything to do with the island of Symi

Flight cancellations

Postby Andy W » 08 Oct 2016, 14:11

There was a brief mention in the Magical Margeritas trip report/blog, but not that many people seem to have noticed otherwise.

There will be no flights at all in or out of Greece tomorrow, Sunday 9th, or Monday 10th. Flights due to leave from Rhodes Airport after about 10pm tonight are also cancelled or have been retimed to leave earlier.

This is because the union covering the Greek Air Traffic Controllers has called two 48 hour strikes, one on the 9th and 10th, and the other on the 12th and 13th. So exactly the same thing is likely to happen again on Wednesday and Thursday unless the dispute is resolved. As the controllers appear to object to a new law which has already been voted through by the Greek parliament, there's little hope of any resolution.

So the same situation will apply - flights on Tuesday due to arrive Rhodes after 9.30pm, or depart Rhodes after about 10pm will be retimed or cancelled, and almost certainly there will be no planes at all on Wednesday or Thursday.
People already on Symi need to keep in close touch with their airline (or package holiday company, should they have arrived that way) as if they were due to fly home on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday they need to find out what days they can/will be moved to. People due to fly home on Tuesday need to be aware that flights may be retimed to depart earlier, and ferry options that day are limited.

Those flying out from their home countries in the next five days also need to keep a close eye on what is happening. Some flights will be rescheduled to different dates, others will be cancelled altogether with an option to rebook free on another date, or take a refund.
User avatar
Andy W
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 601
Joined: 12 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Flight cancellations

Postby Andy W » 08 Oct 2016, 16:37

And later news from one Greek source only so far suggests that union leadership will recommend suspending the strikes to their members. Whether there's enough time to reinstate flights for tomorrow is debatable, but Monday looks much better.
User avatar
Andy W
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 601
Joined: 12 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Flight cancellations

Postby D and E » 08 Oct 2016, 18:31

Thanks Andy - your expertise in such matters is invaluable and the SV site a great way to communicate.
If the dispute isn't resolved (we are EasyJet Weds lunchtime) we are thinking of heading to Athens on the Blue Star believing more flight availability than Rhodes.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales

Re: Flight cancellations

Postby Andy W » 08 Oct 2016, 19:04

Strike is definitely off for now, according to multiple sources.

I'll wave as I get off the inbound EasyJet flight on Wednesday, since we'll fail to meet once again.
User avatar
Andy W
Persistent Visitor
Persistent Visitor
 
Posts: 601
Joined: 12 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: United Kingdom

Re: Flight cancellations

Postby D and E » 14 Oct 2016, 08:17

Hi Andy W - we did indeed just miss each other.

In fact we think we spotted you as one of the first few passengers descending the front steps of the EasyJet flight on Wednesday and giving a quick wave to the queue awaiting to board - nice touch.

Hope you are now settled on Symi and enjoying your time there.
User avatar
D and E
Inveterate Visitor
Inveterate Visitor
 
Posts: 1038
Joined: 15 Jun 2006, 01:00
Location: Wales


Return to Symi Chat



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests