Response to the issues raised today by Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, in an interview with ERT, are given by the air traffic auditors.

Asked about flight delays at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in recent days, Mr Dimas said: “Because We are discussing with air traffic controllersas with other groups of the CAA workers, we have raised very specific issues in recent times, which are not only about the evolution of the Civil Aviation Authority. In this, I would say, We have agreed With the auditors and even rewarded us that we are going so fast. Specifically in the last six months we have also passed some very important provisions for air traffic auditors and this has to do with independent taxation when they lose their specialty, that is, the ability to work as auditors. Usually this happens 1-2 years before their pension, which is hundreds of thousands of euros for each of the air traffic auditors. A joint ministerial decision was also signed with the Ministry of Finance on the additional compensation of overtime, as well as for the hourly compensation they receive for educational purposes. ”

Answering a question about the earnings and requests of air traffic controllers, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport said that modernization is a goal of everyone and added: “That is why we have agreed on the plan of 364 points. In terms of earnings, An experienced air traffic controller can reach over 120,000 euros a year with the “Eurocontrol” allowance. They are important earnings for the Greek state. Obviously, they are taxed and entitled to the regulation. Nevertheless, they are asking in addition. “

Air traffic auditors initially emphasize that “beyond a meeting in early May at the ministry and a meeting in early June at the CAA, in the presence of all workers’ associations, we have never met with the minister again. In fact From 1/9/2025 we have requested a meeting And to date we haven’t even received an answer »

Regarding the earnings of 120,000 euros a year, they say it is’completely disorienting reference to the amount of our salary“And they point out that our” net earnings are taxed and do not budget the budget while paying by users of the air space and 90% come from foreign airlines. For us, the Greek taxpayer does not pay a single euro. ”

In detail the announcement of eeeke

“With frustration, but unfortunately no surprise, we heard the statements of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport this morning. First of all, we would like to inform you that beyond a meeting in early May at the ministry and a meeting in early June at the CAA, in the presence of all workers’ associations, we have not met with the Minister again. In fact, since 1/9/2025 we have requested a meeting and to date we have not even received an answer. On the contrary, our Minister has referred to his associates and the CAA administration, with whom we have met many times and have had many discussions about the consolidation of the US.

Unfortunately, as a result, it appeared that the administration of the CAA and the Ministry had decided not to hear our proposals, which as a whole concern the implementation of the European regulations.

It is also completely disorienting to reference to the amount of our salary in a way that is artificially inflating the numbers so that they have nothing to do with our net earnings, which (as the minister admits) are taxed and do not burden the budget, while they are paid by 90%. For us, the Greek taxpayer does not pay a single euro.

All of our salaries, even the basic salary, is funded by the air navigation fees paid by the airlines. But if the minister wants to deal with our earnings, we would like to know that with the latest published EUROCONTROL (ACE Benchmarking Report 2025) data, we are in 33rd among 38 providers at EEK payroll costs. per hour of flight they manage, even though we are fifth in productivity.

It is characteristic that we are more productive than countries such as Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Italy, but the cost of our remuneration is significantly lower than countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Slovenia.

Indeed, the CAA (HELLENIC AVIATION SERVICE PROVIDER (HASP) is the most cheaper among 38 providers in terms of the cost of providing air navigation services, “says the announcement of the Greek Air Traffic Union, which also lists diagrams with data that” do not “. :