Elias Diakos
In April 2022, several public, official, and military sources reported Turkish fighter aircraft conducted overflights above Greek islands in the eastern Aegean. The move exemplified grey-zone tactics: sustained pressure below armed conflict. These actions constituted national airspace violations rather than mere FIR rule violations. Flight Information Region (FIR) is an internationally designated airspace within which a state provides air traffic and flight information services. Entering national airspace at low altitudes over inhabited islands left no room for misinterpretation. The Hellenic Air Force deployed pairs of F-16s to intercept. An official incident was recorded. In line with established practice, standard diplomatic protests were lodged, and the day fortunately ended without further escalation.
In 2022, according to HNDGS data, there were 11,256 violations of national airspace, 234 overflights above islands, and 333 engagements between Greek and Turkish aircraft. In total, 2,758 aircraft were involved. The numbers do not point to a “crisis,” but rather patterns of routine activity. Turkey’s April 2022 airspace violation occurred during a period of heightened tension. Greece had recently reinforced its military presence in the Aegean, prompting Turkey to respond with a show of force just short of direct engagement. However, persistent hostilities of this nature pose the constant risk of escalation while shifting the dispute from national airspace to the issue of sovereignty itself.
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