 Original photo source: Ermis News Zakynthos There is encouraging news for travellers following today's disruption at Zakynthos International Airport.
According to local reports, including Ermis News, the Hellenic Air Force F-16 aircraft involved in today's emergency incident has now been removed from the runway. The aircraft was reportedly lifted by crane and will be transported to Kyllini and then on to Araxo, allowing the runway to be cleared. Although airport authorities have not yet issued a formal announcement confirming that normal operations have fully resumed, there are positive signs that the airport is returning to service. The official Zakynthos Airport flight information system is once again live and displaying arriving and departing flights, including active departures with check-in desks, boarding information and gate allocations. This suggests that airlines have begun operating flights again, although many services are still expected to run behind schedule as carriers work through the backlog caused by the temporary closure. Passengers travelling today are advised to:
We will continue to monitor developments and provide further updates as more official information becomes available. Last updated: 9 July 2026 More photos click on main source ermisnews.gr
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 Travel Update:
Visitors travelling to or from Zakynthos today may experience flight delays following an incident involving a Hellenic Air Force aircraft at Zakynthos International Airport. Earlier today, a military F-16 made an emergency landing at the airport. Emergency services responded immediately, the pilot was reported safe, and the runway was temporarily closed while the aircraft was secured and recovery operations began. According to local authorities, the runway is expected to remain closed until at least 7:00 pm (19:00). A specialist Hellenic Air Force recovery team is due to remove the aircraft and clear the runway, after which the airport will assess when operations can safely resume. There are local reports suggesting that some commercial flights may begin operating again after approximately 9:00 pm, although this has not yet been officially confirmed. Fraport Greece, which operates Zakynthos Airport, has issued the following official advice: "Runway operations have been suspended until further notice due to the emergency landing of a Hellenic Air Force aircraft. Passengers are advised to contact their airline or travel agent regarding any changes to scheduled flights." At this stage:
Last updated: Thursday 9 July 2026  photo by Kev Lowe Travelers planning to fly in or out of Greek airports on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, can breathe a sigh of relief — all flights will operate as scheduled, despite a nationwide strike originally planned to include air traffic controllers. What Happened? The Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association (EEEKE), along with OSYPA and ENIMAEK, had announced their participation in the 24-hour strike declared by ADEDY, Greece’s civil servants’ union. However, a last-minute legal intervention has changed the course of events. Court Rules Participation Illegal. According to an official announcement by the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Single-Member Court of First Instance of Athens ruled that the participation of the above unions in the strike was illegal. As a result, air traffic controllers will not be taking part in the industrial action. What This Means for Travelers? If you have a flight scheduled on Wednesday, October 1st, you can proceed with your plans as normal. No flight delays or cancellations are expected due to strike action. This decision comes as a significant relief for thousands of passengers, especially during a busy travel season and amid growing concerns over strike-related disruptions across various public services in Greece. Final Travel Tips
 Majority of Canceled Flights to Depart Today; No Serious Damage Reported on the Island Zakynthos, Greece – Flights to and from Zakynthos that were canceled last night due to persistent low cloud cover are resuming operations from noon onwards today. Of the 27 flights affected, at least 24 are expected to proceed as planned. These flights include international routes to and from the United Kingdom, Poland, the Netherlands, France, as well as one domestic flight to Athens International Airport (El. Venizelos). More than 90% of affected passengers spent the night in local hotels at no personal cost, thanks to coordination between local authorities and tourism services on the island. Despite the two-day spell of bad weather, Zakynthos largely avoided serious incidents. This was credited to proactive measures taken by the Municipality, the Sub-Region, and the Civil Protection Agency. Key flood-prone areas—such as Lithakia, Agalas, and other vulnerable zones—were preemptively cleared and secured. The only notable disruption occurred last night in Alykanas, where a road was flooded for over three hours. Twelve tourists staying at a nearby hotel requested relocation after water began entering the property’s courtyard. Authorities quickly responded, and the guests were safely transferred.  photo by Prisma Radio 90.2 Zakynthos Additionally, on the Agalas–Lithakia road, where concerns had been highest, a minor landslide involving gravel and soil was reported. The incident was swiftly managed by Civil Protection crews already stationed in the area with heavy machinery on standby.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely, but normalcy has largely returned to the island. source:- Hmera Zakynthos. 
photo by Denis Malapetsas
Heavy rainfall that began early this morning has brought significant disruptions to traffic and daily life across Zakynthos, creating hazardous conditions and prompting a strong response from local authorities.
One of the hardest-hit areas is the road to Agalas in Lithakia, where debris—including gravel, stones, and large volumes of water—has completely covered the roadway, posing serious risks to drivers. Civil Protection teams from the Municipality of Zakynthos are actively working at the scene to manage the situation, while Zakynthos Traffic Police are also present due to a high volume of vehicles. Authorities are urging all drivers to exercise extreme caution and reduce their speed. 
photo by Civil Protection unit Zakynthos
Elsewhere, the Zakynthos–Alykon provincial road, from the Mandolatos factory to Alykanas, has been closed entirely due to severe flooding. According to local reports, water levels have risen quickly, making the area impassable.
Municipal services remain on high alert as new problems continue to emerge. Residents are strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel until the extreme weather conditions subside.
The impact of the storm has also extended to Zakynthos Airport, where nearly all scheduled flights have been canceled or delayed. Since 12:00 p.m., no departures have taken place, largely due to poor visibility. Several flights that had been rescheduled earlier in the day were ultimately canceled, leaving many travelers stranded. Arriving flights have faced similar disruptions.
As the adverse weather continues, both residents and visitors are being asked to remain patient and prioritize safety. Zakynthos Informer has more on the blog below:-
https://www.zakynthosinformer.com/blog/confirmed-air-traffic-control-strike-october-2025-and-other-greek-air-restrictions?fbclid=IwY2xjawNGSMBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvQH_uzAQDjXyaeVJIWs_VmbqT2o9aexnjhLRMHZBB9wVSe5aCKV-kyZdUFB_aem_5ajB8cUihxccK7Zd78SSeA
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