The government's decision to assign the construction and management of the new Larnaca and Paphos airports to a strategic investor resulted in a reaction by workers of the Civil Aviation authority at Larnaca airport to staging a four-hour strike, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers and affecting at least fifty flights. The stoppage began at 3.00 p.m. following a meeting between workers and leadership of the unions SEK, PEO and PASYDY which however failed to halt strike measures.

Minister of Communications & Works Averof Neophytou described the strike as "anarchy and terrorism" on his visit to Larnaca yesterday afternoon. Mr. Neophytou attended a meeting with management of the airport and Civil Aviation in an effort to find ways to counter the strike measures.

There was a strike also by staff at Paphos airport but as there were no scheduled flights at that time, no adverse effects were noted.

The strike is planned to continue today and tomorrow during the same times whilst on Thursday it is set to begin at 8.00 a.m. until 7.00 p.m.