A total of 31 flights scheduled to operate to and from Larnaca and Paphos airports to and from Athens and Thessaloniki airports have been cancelled today, Wednesday, due to the Greek air traffic controllers’ strike, according to Hermes Airports.
Specifically, the strike has resulted in 27 cancellations affecting Larnaca Airport and 4 cancellations for flights to and from Paphos Airport.
Meanwhile, 7 flights affected by the strike have been rescheduled.
The airport operator is advising the public to monitor live updates on the Hermes Airports website and to contact their airline directly with any queries.
Why are they striking?
The Greek air traffic controllers are striking as part of a wider 24-hour nationwide general strike organised by the public sector union ADEDY and the private sector union GSEE.
The unions are protesting over several issues, including:
- Wage increases: They are demanding immediate real wage increases to cope with the rising cost of living.
- Collective labour agreements: The unions are calling for collective labour agreements across all sectors.
- Reinstatement of 13th and 14th monthly salaries: They want the return of these bonus holiday salaries in the public sector.
- Housing crisis: The unions are demanding measures to address the housing crisis and unaffordable rents.
- Staffing shortages and outdated equipment: Specifically for air traffic controllers, there are concerns about insufficient staff and outdated surveillance and communication systems, which are struggling to handle the increasing volume of flights and causing delays.
The strike involves various sectors, including seafarers, teachers, and municipal workers, and is expected to cause widespread disruption to transportation and public services across Greece.
(Picture by ANA-MPA/Yannis Kolesidis)
