Greek flights grounded after radio systems fail

Flights across Greece were grounded for several hours on Sunday after a collapse of radio frequencies crippled air traffic communication, stranding thousands of travellers and bringing airport operations to a virtual standstill.

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There was little clarity on what caused the disruption, which began early Sunday and quickly escalated, affecting travel plans of thousands on the busy last weekend of the holiday period.

Some overflights across Greek and regional airspace were still being serviced, but restrictions were imposed on airport operations, Greece's civil aviation authority said.

By Sunday afternoon, limited services were restored after pilots switched to backup frequencies to keep in touch with controllers on the ground, authorities said.