Taxi drivers strike at Paphos airport. Protest could begin on Friday.

A taxi strike at Paphos Airport may begin on Friday, September 25th at 9:00 a.m. The professional drivers' association, Agios Leontios, has announced an indefinite strike if it does not receive a concrete response to its demands.

Drivers are also threatening to close the airport taxi rank. The protest is not expected to affect flights, but passengers arriving in Paphos may have trouble finding a taxi. Those traveling on Friday should check the situation in advance and consider taking a bus or pre-booked transfer.

Taxi drivers strike at Paphos airport from 9:00 a.m.

The announcement of the protest was preceded by a five-hour work stoppage on Friday, September 18. Drivers did not serve passengers from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The action was intended as a first warning to the authorities and the airport operator. Since, according to the association, no concrete solutions have yet been presented, the taxi drivers announced they would launch an indefinite protest.

If a strike occurs, the airport taxi rank is scheduled to close from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 25. There is no indication of how long the strike might last.

The drivers presented three demands

The first demand concerns the restoration of full taxi rank space. According to the association, the space available to drivers has been reduced by almost half.

During peak hours, there isn't enough space for all the cars. Some taxis are forced to stay outside their designated ranks, and their drivers are subsequently treated as traffic violators.

The second request is to restore taxi access to the ramp directly in front of the arrivals hall. Currently, passengers with luggage have to walk approximately 300 meters to the point where they can board their cars.

According to drivers, this is particularly troublesome for the elderly, passengers with limited mobility, and families with small children. The problem is exacerbated during hot weather and heavy rainfall.

The third demand is equal and – as the association defines it – respectful treatment of professional taxi drivers by the relevant institutions.

"We have been sending letters for a month"

The "Agios Leontios" association claims it has been sending letters to the institutions responsible for organizing airport transport for about a month. Drivers claim they have not yet received a response with concrete solutions.

The letter was addressed to, among others, the Ministry of Transport, the Road Transport Department, the licensing authority, the Paphos authorities, the operator Hermes Airports and members of parliament representing the Paphos district.

Taxi drivers emphasize that they are not seeking confrontation. They are demanding an urgent meeting with representatives of all interested parties and concrete decisions regarding the organization of the stop.

What does the strike mean for passengers?

This announcement applies to professional drivers using the airport parking lot. It does not mean the terminal will be closed, flights will be canceled, or the entire parking lot will be closed to passengers.

Those who intend to take a taxi upon arrival without booking in advance may experience the greatest disruption. If a protest begins, the availability of cars may be severely limited.

Passengers flying from Paphos should also plan their arrival in advance. Booking a car at the last minute can be risky, especially before morning and evening departures.

How to get from the airport without a taxi?

Paphos Airport is connected to the city by two bus lines. Buses depart from the bus stop located in front of the terminal.

Line 612 It heads towards the tourist area, but its final stop is currently Tombs of the Kings Bus Station. Along the way, the bus stops include Poseidonos Avenue and hotels in Kato Paphos.

Line 613 connects the airport with Karavella station. This may be more convenient for those who want to transfer to an intercity bus later.

Schedules are subject to change, so please double-check departure times before traveling. Those using a private transfer should also confirm their reservation directly with the operator.

CYPRNews will continue to monitor the situation. We will update this information if the drivers call off their protest or reach an agreement with the authorities.

Sources: Pafos Press, Taxi Drivers' Association "Agios Leontios", Pafos Transport Organisation, Hermes Airports