Greece's Heraklion airport resumes flights after farmers end protest


  • World
  • Tuesday, 09 Dec 2025

Greek farmers protest over delayed European Union subsidy payments by blocking the runway at Heraklion International Airport, disrupting flight operations, in Heraklion on the island of Crete, Greece, December 8, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis

ATHENS, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Flights to and from Heraklion Airport on the Greek island of Crete resumed early on Tuesday, aviation officials said, after farmers who had been blocking the terminal ended a protest.

Three flights were cancelled and several othersdelayed after agroup of farmers threw stones at police and stormed onto the runway at Heraklion on Monday, halting some air traffic.

The airport resumed operations around 0800 GMT on Tuesday, a Greek aviation official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Farmers have deployed thousands of tractors and trucks in dozens of blockades, disrupting traffic during a nationwide demonstration triggered by funding delays.

Greek farmers face a shortfall of more than 600 million euros ($699 million) in European Union aid and other payments after a corruption scandal in which some farmers, aided by state employees, faked land ownership to qualify for payouts.

Ongoing audits have slowed subsequent disbursements.

(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Alexander Smith)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Rome sets 30 kph city centre speed limit, following other European capitals
Olympics-Armed gang rob jewellery store in Cortina d'Ampezzo
Flash: U.S. announces launch of phase 2 of 20-point plan to end Gaza conflict -- Witkoff
Denmark will increase its military footprint in Greenland, defence minister says
South Sudan hosts over 600,000 refugees, asylum seekers: UNHCR
Azerbaijan releases four Armenian prisoners in sign of deepening peace
South Africa unveils decade-long strategy to combat FMD
Ghanaian monthly economy expands 3.8 pct in October 2025
Tanzania unveils strategy to advance digital learning
1st LD Writethru: WMO confirms 2025 one of warmest years on record

Others Also Read