Turkish aircraft violate Greek airspace in the Aegean Sea

Turkish military aircraft conducted a series of airspace violations and incursions in the Aegean Sea on September 17 and 18, 2026. The activity involved multiple formations and individual aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, an ATR-72, and several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

On September 18, ten aircraft were recorded, including two formations of F-16s and six individual units consisting of one ATR-72 and five UAVs. These aircraft carried out 13 violations of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) and seven violations of Greek national airspace. Notably, two overflights were recorded over the islands of Rou and Zourafa. Greek fighter jets identified and intercepted the aircraft in accordance with international rules and established practices, with no combat engagements reported.

Earlier activity on September 17 involved three aircraft, including one formation of two F-16s and one UAV. This activity resulted in four FIR violations and one national airspace violation by a UAV in the northeastern and southeastern Aegean.