A Turkish drone entered the Athens FIR, or flight information region, and violated Greek national airspace on Friday morning, flying over the sea between Samothrace and Lemnos.
The Hellenic Air Force responded immediately, mobilizing two F-16s to locate, identify and intercept the UAV.
Particular concern was raised by the drone’s proximity to the terminal runway of Alexandroupoli airport, at a time when an Aegean Airlines passenger aircraft was preparing to take off.
Coordination between the Civil Aviation Authority and the Greek fighter jets enabled the UAV to be removed without compromising the safety of the passenger flight.
As a precaution, the aircraft was instructed to follow an alternative flight path and maintain a low altitude until the area was clear. It subsequently resumed its flight normally and continued to Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos airport.
