Chios Airport Closure: Attica Extends Piraeus Sailings

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Update 8 November 2026: on 6 November the Maritime Transport Council backed a tender for two extra lines from 30 November to 28 March, Piraeus-Mesta and Lavrio/Rafina-Mesta (both continuing to Mytilene); the target is nine sailings a week. Details: our new report.

Update 6 November 2026: at an inter-ministerial meeting on 4 November, local bodies’ request to suspend the NOTAM was turned down; Chios airport stays closed from 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027 (TA NEA, 4 November). The government said it would publish a works timetable by the end of the week; according to TA NEA, unofficial information points to nine sailings a week, including the Piraeus link. Separately, Lesvos airport is closed on Tuesdays from 17 November to 23 March, so flying via Lesvos is not an option on Tuesdays either: our report.

Because Chios airport closes from the evening of 15 November 2026 to 15 March 2027, the Greek ferry group Attica Group has decided to keep its October schedule to Chios and Lesvos for one more month. The decision was reported in the Greek press on 3 November; no exact end date for the extension has been given. Ferries between Çeşme and Chios are not affected, but over the winter the sea will be the only way from Chios to Athens.

What happened?

We reported the airport closure on 20 October: runway extension works mean no scheduled flights from the evening of 15 November to 15 March 2027. Newmoney repeated these dates on 3 November.

• The decision: according to Efimerida ton Syntakton (EfSyn) and Ypodomes, citing the Greek news agency ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ, Attica Group is extending the schedule it ran to Chios and Lesvos in October by one month. The company says it submitted its winter schedule, with reduced frequency, in January, before the airport closure was announced.
• Number of sailings: according to OT, the company had considered keeping six weekly sailings to Chios until 15 November, and its plan for November 2026 to October 2027 submitted to the ministry had three sailings instead of six. Only OT gave these figures; the other reports name no sailing counts or ships.
• Reasons: the company said the extension gives the authorities time to find solutions, and that marine fuel prices have more than doubled.
• Ministry: OT quotes Shipping Minister Vasilis Kikilias as saying the ministry will look for a solution in talks with ferry companies, but cannot unilaterally require private companies to add sailings.
• Lesvos’s request: on 3 November the Lesvos Chamber of Commerce asked for the Mytilene-Chios-Piraeus line to be included in emergency transport planning, with daily sailings, faster ships and timetables matched to Athens flights from Mytilene airport (Skai, Madata).
• Meeting: Chios representatives were due to meet Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis on 4 November at 12:00. No outcome had been announced when we published.

What does it mean for travellers?

• Arriving by ferry from Turkey: Attica’s decision does not change sailings between Turkey and Chios. Winter times and operators are in our Çeşme to Chios ferry guide; as we reported on 2 November, the Turyol timetable runs into 2027.
• Turkish passport holders on the express visa: the visa on arrival is valid only on the island of arrival and does not allow onward travel to Athens, so this does not affect them directly.
• Continuing from Chios to Athens (EU citizens, Schengen visa holders and others): there are no flights from Chios after 15 November. The options are the ferry to Piraeus or flights via Lesvos. It is not yet clear which timetable will apply after the one-month extension, so check Piraeus sailings on the operator’s own website before booking for December and later.
• Staying on Chios: with the island reachable only by sea over the winter, allow time for weather delays. See our Chios travel guide and Chios airport guide.

We will update this article if a new decision is announced after the meeting.

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Tours and day trips

⏱ 5.5 hoursGetYourGuideChios: Half-Day Sightseeing TourPrivate tour you shape yourself, north or south of the island; reviewers mention Nea Moni, Kampos and the mastic villages.See price →⏱ 4.5 hoursGetYourGuideChios: Mastiha shore excursionCovers Mesta, Pyrgi and the Mastic Museum with pickup in Chios town, handy if you don't want to drive.See price →

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Sources

• OT - Attica Group extends routes to Chios and Lesvos for one month (Greek, 3 November 2026)
• EfSyn - Attica Group extends routes to Chios and Lesvos for one month (Greek, 3 November 2026)
• Newmoney - Attica Group: one-month extension of routes to Chios and Lesvos (Greek, 3 November 2026)
• Ypodomes - Attica Group: extension of routes to Chios and Lesvos (ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ, Greek, 3 November 2026)
• Skai - Lesvos should be included in emergency transport planning (Greek, 3 November 2026)
• Madata - Lesvos Chamber asks for ferry planning with Chios (Greek, 3 November 2026)
• TA NEA - Inter-ministerial meeting on Chios airport (Greek, 4 Nov 2026)