Cyprus airport strikes ground flights

Passengers from two inbound flights were forced to disembark in the middle of the Larnaca airport runway Friday, when airport workers staged an impromptu strike at 1pm local time (1000 GMT).

Police escorted the passengers along the one-kilometre walk to the main terminal in order to collect their luggage as all airport workers employed by the Civil Aviation Dept. went on strike, unsure over the future of their jobs when a new operator takes over in 2010.

All departing flights at both Larnaca and Paphos airports were grounded as the baggage handlers, shuttle drivers, maintenance services and even customs officers stopped working.

Inbound flights after 13.00 were diverted to other airports in the area.

The civil servants’ trade union, Pasydy, tried to mediate in order to persuade the workers to return to their posts. However, the employees were adamant and demanded that they see President Tassos Papadopoulos on Friday afternoon, or their strike would be indefinite.

Commerce and Industry Minister George Lillykas told state CyBC television that the government offered a solution to the workers who ignored this gesture.

“This is not the way to start a dialogue. The government cannot be intimidated by threats,” he said.

Passengers for outbound flights were checking in their luggage at the airline counters in the departure lounge, but were unsure when their flights would leave.