General strike in Greece on October 1: which flights and services are canceled.

Greece: Major disruptions in transport expected

According to The Sun: British tourists may face serious difficulties if they plan to travel to popular European destinations tomorrow.

On October 1, Greece will experience one of the largest national strikes of the year.

Tomorrow's strike will affect all modes of transport in Greece, including air flights, ports, buses, trains, subways, and taxis.

Britons planning to travel to Greece or already in the country may face delays in flights, cruise departures, and airport transfers.

The strike is organized by the two largest trade union associations in the country – GSEE and ADEDY, in response to new government labor reforms that allow for a 13-hour workday and impose stricter penalties for workers.

It is expected that due to these disruptions, between 80 and 90 flights will be canceled, affecting approximately 16,200 Britons.

Delays may concern all airports in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, and Glasgow.

In addition to air transport, another 5,000-7,000 Britons may be affected by other transport options, totaling about 20,000 affected.

Transport modes will affect passengers differently: the strike of port staff could delay boarding for cruises. Rail services between Athens and Thessaloniki are likely to be suspended, complicating travel across the country.

Hellenic Trains stated: “Hellenic Train reports that due to the participation of railway workers in the 24-hour strike announced by GSEE, there will be no services throughout the railway network, including suburban lines.”

The taxi drivers association of Attica is also joining the strike, so no taxis will be running, and ports and ferries will remain in harbor.

The Panhellenic Federation of Mariners (PNO) stated: “The strike of sailors is national across all categories of vessels and begins on October 1, 2025, at 00:01 and ends at 24:00 on the same day.”

The Air Traffic Federation also confirmed its participation in the strike, meaning only emergency flights will be operated.

Greek airlines such as Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air are offering passengers free ticket changes and voucher options.

Jet2 has also urged its passengers to be cautious due to the strike, stating: “We are currently monitoring the planned general strike in Greece, which is set to take place on October 1 and may affect Greek air traffic control and local taxi and ferry services.”

“Flights to/from Greece may be affected by this strike, however, we plan to operate all Jet2.com flights according to schedule, so please arrive at the airport on time.”

In Athens, buses will operate only from 9:00 to 21:00, while minibuses, lines 1, 2, and 3, and trams will work from 9:00 to 17:00.

GSEE and ADEDY have also organized a rally at Klafthmonos Square in central Athens at 11:00.

Rules for flight compensation

Overview of your rights in case of flight delay or cancellation, when you are entitled to compensation and whether your travel insurance may cover costs.

What are my rights if my flight is canceled or delayed?

According to British law, airlines are required to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you are flying to or from the UK, your airline must offer you a choice between a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get money back for the unused portion of your ticket.

So if you booked a return flight and the departure is delayed, you can get a full refund of the ticket price.

But if the travel is urgent, your airline must find you an alternative flight, sometimes even with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline is not obligated to refund you if the flight is canceled for reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions such as extreme weather, strikes by airport or air traffic control workers, and other “extraordinary circumstances” are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may broaden the definition of “extraordinary circumstances,” but you can challenge them through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is canceled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly from the airline, your travel insurance may reimburse your expenses.

Policies vary, so you should check the fine print, but delays of eight to twelve hours usually mean you are entitled to reimbursement from your insurer.

Do not forget to obtain written confirmation of the delay from the airport, as your insurer will require evidence.

If your flight is completely canceled, your insurance is likely not to cover you.

Ryanair has also recently urged all passengers from the UK to take action after delays affected 7,000 people in one day.

Additionally, what “plane replacements” cost thousands of passengers each year – some even missed their holidays.

Due to the strike, tourists are advised to keep in contact with airlines for current information on flights and possible changes. It is also important to pay attention to compensation rules, as this can significantly ease the process in case of delays or cancellations of flights. All of this emphasizes the need for travel planning during such times to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.