The financial problems reportedly dogging construction firm AEGEK have “frozen” the launch of works on a crucial extension for Metro Line 3, sources at AMEL, the company that operates the Athens metro, said yesterday.

The section of Line 3 between Ethniki Amyna station, in the northeastern part of the city, and Athens International Airport, had been due to close this month so works could get under way but this looks increasingly unlikely, AMEL officials said, confirming a report in Athens Plus last month.

Unless AEGEK gets its finances in order, the works cannot begin and the line will not close for the six-month period as foreseen, the sources said. If works begin and AEGEK goes bankrupt, the sources added, the delay in the line’s construction could last up to two years as a new engineering firm would have to be found.

As the deadlock persists, more than 50,000 commuters, who would be affected by the planned works, remain in the dark about potential changes to their daily schedule.