The companies Athens International Airport, Fraport Greece, Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and the GEK TERNA Group responded positively to the minister’s call and will finance the immediate installation of the system at the Athens and Macedonia Area Control Centers, which oversee the entirety of Greek airspace (FIR/UIR).

The total cost of the project amounts to €4.7 million. The donation route was selected to ensure that procurement and installation proceed swiftly and without further delays.

A Critical Upgrade for Aviation Safety

This initiative provides an immediate solution to a critical aviation safety and operational issue, highlighted recently by a communications blackout affecting frequencies within the Greek FIR. The new VCRS system constitutes core infrastructure for the secure and reliable communication of air traffic controllers, as well as for the complete recording and archiving of voice communications, in line with international standards and European regulatory requirements.

Background to the Decision

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport had previously sought to reactivate Contract 03/2019 for the procurement of the system, submitting a contract amendment for legality review to the Hellenic Court of Audit on 2 October 2025. The review resulted in a negative ruling, which the Ministry appealed in December 2025. The appeal was subsequently rejected by the Court’s 7th Chamber, with the decision formally communicated on 21 January 2026.

In light of this outcome, and given the urgency of modernising Greece’s air navigation systems, the donation solution was adopted. This option became legally feasible following institutional reforms completed in late 2025, including the transformation of the Civil Aviation Authority into a Public Law Legal Entity and the establishment of a new framework allowing public entities to accept private donations.

Ministry Statement

“The response of the companies involved confirms the importance the private sector places on ensuring the uninterrupted operation of Greek airspace and on upgrading air navigation infrastructure, which is a cornerstone for tourism, air transport, and the national economy as a whole,” the Ministry of Transport said in a statement.

“With the implementation of the donation, the procurement and installation of the new VCRS systems will begin immediately, strengthening flight safety, enhancing the operational reliability of the Area Control Centers, and ensuring Greece’s compliance with international and European aviation standards — to the benefit of airspace users and Greek aviation overall.”