British holidaymakers face travel chaos as Greek air traffic controllers prepare for a 24-hour strike on April 9, 2025.

The nationwide walkout, organised by public sector union ADEDY, will ground all flights just 11 days before Easter.

Adding to the long-term travel "nightmare" faced by Britons, easyJet flight attendants are preparing to strike on the same day.

Experts at AirAdvisor spoke to GB News about the potential impact of the strikes on British holidaymakers.

AirAdvisor warned that the strike could spell chaos for 11,200 to 12,800 Britons heading to Greece

They warned that the industrial action will cancel between 70 and 80 UK flights, affecting 11,200 to 12,800 British travellers.

easyJet passengers are set to be hit hardest, with more than 20 flights affected, followed by British Airways and Ryanair with more than 15 flights each. TUI Airways will see more than 10 flights disrupted.

Key routes affected include flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

These connect to popular Greek destinations such as Athens, Heraklion, Thessaloniki, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Corfu.

The strike will also disrupt UK passengers flying to the Middle East, Asia and Australia, as Greece is a major transit hub.

Britons were warned that the strike is expected to trigger significant price increases for last-minute transport and hotel bookings.

Indeed, ATC strikes on February 28, 2025, increased ferry bookings by 50 to 70 per cent and hotel rates by 30 to 50 per cent within 48 hours.

With Easter fast approaching, holidaymakers could face a "peak season premium", meaning prices could double.

However, stranded travellers can consider alternative routes, such as flying from London to Sofia (£50-£80) and then taking a bus to Thessaloniki (£20-£30).

Island-bound tourists could fly to Istanbul (£80-£120) before catching ferries to Piraeus (£50-£70) and onward to destinations like Santorini (£30-£60).

These alternatives could cost £70-£110, compared to £200-£300 for rebooking cancelled flights.

Aviation expert and Founder of AirAdvisor Anton Radchenko shared his insights on the upcoming strike.

He stated: "Since 2023, two to three ATC strikes have affected Greece every year. This shows that its airspace is a ticking time bomb, especially for island hoppers.

"Keep in mind that not every strike action is created equal. Air traffic control strikes are uniquely disruptive because ATC is the backbone of aviation operations - without it, flights cannot take off, land or safely navigate airspace.

"Since Easter is just around the corner, Greece's island-heavy travel makes this strike a nightmare. With flights grounded, there will be increased congestion on ferries, substantially raising their prices close to the [holiday]. So, the right time to book is now, or it will be too late.

"Plus, with holiday travel in full swing, this strike will cause widespread ripple effects as delays stack up, missed connections rise, and crew scheduling issues persist.

Britons travelling to destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos, Athens and more will be affected

"And it’s not just limited to that. Remember, Greece is a highly popular holiday destination, so with its airspace affected, other ATC centers (in Italy or Turkey) will get flooded with extra traffic. This increased pressure on controllers in nearby countries risks potentially slowing down the entire European flight network."

To mitigate the effects of the impending disruption, Anton advised passengers to take "immediate action".

"Keep an eye on your flight status and sign up for SMS or email alerts for the quickest updates," he advised. "If your flight gets cancelled, act fast, as rebookings will fill quickly.

"Also, pack essentials such as snacks and water, and keep extra cash. Given the strike’s proximity to Easter, tourist areas will be crowded, and delays will extend waiting times, so it makes sense to be prepared."

As for financial compensation, it's important to note that passengers will not be entitled to any as these strikes fall under "extraordinary circumstances", which are outside the airline's control.

However, under EU/261 regulation, affected holidaymakers are entitled to free meals, accommodation, and transit to and from their hotel and airport. Anton concluded: "Make sure you're proactive in getting that."