The bill from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport passed through the plenary session on Monday, October 20, from the competent Parliamentary Committee on Production and Trade. If approved on Tuesday, October 21, the Civil Aviation Service will be transformed into a Legal Entity of Public Law. Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas addressed Parliament on this matter. He emphasized that there are unnecessary procedures for issues that should be resolved immediately. Specifically, he noted that “for issues like toilet cleanliness at Heraklion’s ‘Kazantzakis’ airport or grass cutting at regional airports across the country, the minister’s signature is required.”
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The bill passed today through the competent Parliamentary Committee on Production and Trade, to be introduced tomorrow, Tuesday, in the plenary session for voting.
These are the changes for the Civil Aviation Service in the new ministry bill
Essentially, it constitutes one of the seven pillars of the Action Plan implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in cooperation with European bodies (DG MOVE, EASA and EUROCONTROL) and in its key points provides, among others:
Flexible Administrative Structure:
*The Civil Aviation Service will continue to operate both as an air navigation management service provider and as an airport management authority.
*The organic structures of the Civil Aviation Service are reduced by approximately 35%, aiming for more efficient service operation.
*Better utilization and enhancement of personnel.
*2,407 positions for permanent employees and IDAX employees are established.
*Filling vacant organic positions is done through ASEP announcements.
*Staff transfers especially to regional airports, to cover seasonal or emergency needs.
*Utilization of surplus personnel from Fraport’s concessioned airports.
*Enhancement of regional airports.
*Provision of specialized training for Civil Aviation Service staff.
Financial autonomy:
*The Civil Aviation Service prepares independent budget, balance sheet and financial statement, while acquiring a Works regulation, aimed at rapid completion of air navigation systems modernization projects and necessary infrastructure.
*Utilization of EUROCONTROL revenues.
Action plan: The seven pillars
Simultaneously with the transformation of the Civil Aviation Service into a Legal Entity of Public Law, the strengthening of the Service’s personnel began with the hiring of the first group of successful Air Traffic Controllers from the relevant ASEP competition.
The administrative reform of the Civil Aviation Service is one of the seven pillars of the Action Plan, while the remaining six concern the following:
1. Monitoring and Coordination of the Action Plan concerns the coordination and structured monitoring of all activities included in the Action Plan for Compliance with EU Law in the field of Air Traffic Management (ATM).
2. Development of Data Link Services (DLS). These are technological systems that include software, hardware and procedures, which enable secure digital information exchange between aircraft and air traffic controllers.
3. Upgrade of the central Air Traffic Management (ATM)/DPS Upgrade system (TopSky ATC One). The upgraded system concerns one of the most modern in the world, the TOP SKY ATC ONE.
4. Comprehensive implementation of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN). Its goal is to modernize Greek airspace with more efficient and environmentally friendly flight methods, using modern approaches (RNP) and redesigning areas around airports (TMAs).
5. Installation of new radars with Mode S capability and updated specifications. It includes the upgrade of seven radars through the “Pallas T1” project, the procurement of eight new ones, integration with the radar network and connection to TopSky DPS for full functionality.
6. Full implementation of CP1 Regulation. It covers system updates, transitional procedures and technical frameworks.
New personnel
Speaking in Parliament, Mr. Dimas also announced the planning for hiring specialized personnel at the Civil Aviation Service.
As he emphasized, on October 7, the swearing-in of 80 new air traffic controllers was completed, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s planning provides for hiring another 17 controllers within the year and another 72 from the same pool of ASEP successful candidates in 2026.
At the same time, the hiring process is advancing in other critical specialties, specifically 43 new ATSEP electronics specialists this year and another 44 in 2026. For next year, 28 hires of flight information service officers (AFISO) are also planned.
