Fresh Wave of Strikes At Crete Airport

Travel Warning Issued for Crete Airport

2 August 2011

CRETE - Taxi drivers went on strike at the Heraklion Airport in Crete on 1 August 2011. Protests turned violent and police were forced to use tear gas to disperse the crowd of taxi drivers. In response to the recent outbreak of violence at Crete Airport, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued a travel warning and have warned visitors "to exercise caution when using the airport and to follow advice given by their Tour Operators."

Greece's economy has not faired well in 2011, and is in its third year of a recession. Along with its debt crisis and Eurozone bailout, taxi drivers in Greece have been performing month-long protests against the government's plans to liberalise the taxi industry.

Over 2 million Britons travel to Greece annually. The FCO has warned that the travellers must exercise caution and should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place as protests have been known to turn violent.


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