Greece’s air traffic controllers will only handle essential flights during the strike
Brits planning to travel to Greece could face disruption as air traffic controllers join a nationwide strike. The industrial action, scheduled for February 28, is in pursuit of justice for the 57 victims of the Tempe train crash two years ago.
During the strike, staff will only handle essential flights such as medical evacuations, search and rescue operations, humanitarian aid deliveries, military aircraft, and others. Commercial passenger flights are expected to be disrupted, if not entirely cancelled, according to the Independent.
The strike action stems from a head-on collision between a freight train and a passenger train on February 28, 2023, which exposed safety shortcomings. Despite the resignation of Greece’s transport minister, the official handling of the disaster has been widely criticised.
Public anger has been fuelled by delays to an inquiry, with the government strongly denying accusations of a cover-up. It has been alleged that the freight train was carrying dangerous chemicals which ignited, causing a fatal fire.
Many of the victims were university students returning to classes after a public holiday. Last month, large-scale protests were held, encouraged by relatives of the victims, reports the Express. Industrial action halted trains and ferries, with the strike timed to coincide with the anniversary of the crash.
Public transport services in Athens have also been impacted, with unions calling for the removal of wage controls imposed between 2010 and 2018. Moreover, farmers and university students have recently participated in anti-government demonstrations.
However, recent strikes did not impact flights after a court ruled that previous protest plans by air traffic controllers were unlawful.