Significant disruption has been reported on the large island of Crete this week as inclement weather, combined with heavy dust cover brought by brisk southerly winds from North Africa’s Sahara Desert, have dramatically impaired air transports.

At Irakleio’s (Heraklion) Nikos Kazantzakis Airport visibility dropped sharply to around 1,000 meters—well below safe landing thresholds—forcing at least two aircraft to divert to alternative destinations.

According to reports, a Sky Express flight from Brussels that was scheduled to land at the airport was rerouted to Athens, while a British Airways flight from London was diverted to Corfu. Authorities said the reduced visibility has led to delays and operational challenges for airlines.

Meteorologists and civil aviation officials continue to monitor the situation, as the dense Saharan dust clouds persists, affecting both visibility and overall airport operations.

Meanwhile, the city of Irakleio, the largest on Crete, has been blanketed in a thick layer of dust, creating conditions reminiscent of the Sahara Desert. The port area was nearly obscured, while the atmosphere has become increasingly suffocating due to the high concentration of airborne particles.

The phenomenon is expected to gradually ease later in the afternoon on Wednesday, according to local forecasts.