Crete Taxis Strike

Taxi owners protest outside Knossos and the Courts today

Crete taxi drivers are protesting at the archaeological site of Knossos today, not causing problems for tourists, rather they are allowing visitors to the Minoan Palace free entrance as they block the ticket booths and distribute leaflets with their demands and the reasons for their protest.

Yesterday police on Crete fired tear gas to disperse cabbies who had blocked the road to Iraklio Airport, obliging hundreds of tourists to drag their luggage several hundred meters through the heat after tour buses could go no further. Taxi drivers responded to the volleys of tear gas by hurling stones at officers who eventually resorted to more heavy-handed tactics, using clubs to beat back protesters, according to witnesses.

At the airport today a few taxis remain parked along the access road, but the airport is operating normally. 117 charter flights are scheduled to take place from 08.00 am Tuesday to 08.00 am Wednesday.

Taxi owners will also be protesting outside Heraklion courthouse today, as two of their colleagues who were arrested during the airport fracas will be brought before the court at midday.

In Chania, no protest action is planned.