Professional taxi drivers at Paphos Airport have warned that they will launch an indefinite strike starting Friday, September 25, unless there is a substantive response to their demands by that time.
In an urgent letter of protest addressed to the relevant authorities, the "Agios Leontios" Paphos Airport Urban Taxi Association highlights serious problems affecting daily taxi operations at the airport.
Indeed, the drivers already staged a five-hour work stoppage yesterday, Friday, September 18—from 09:00 to 14:00—sending an initial message to the competent authorities.
The three key demands
The first demand is the restoration of the taxi parking area to its original capacity; according to the Association, the available space has been reduced by approximately half. They argue that during peak hours, the available space is insufficient, causing taxis to remain outside the designated parking area and leading to drivers being treated as traffic offenders.
At the same time, they are calling for the reinstatement of the ramp in front of the Arrivals area. According to the letter, taxis previously had access to this ramp, whereas now passengers are forced to walk approximately 300 meters while carrying their luggage. The Association points out that the situation is particularly difficult for the elderly and individuals with mobility issues, as well as during periods of extreme heat or heavy rain.
A third demand is for professional taxi drivers to be treated fairly and respectfully by the relevant authorities.
"We have been sending letters for a month without any substantive response"
The Association states that for about a month, it has sent repeated letters to the relevant bodies without—as it claims—receiving any substantive response or concrete solutions to date. For this reason, it warns that an indefinite strike will begin on Friday, September 25, at 09:00, and the taxi rank at Paphos Airport will be closed, unless a concrete commitment to resolving the issues is made by then.
"We do not seek confrontation. We call for dialogue, respect, and immediate practical solutions," the Association states, while also requesting an urgent meeting with all relevant stakeholders.
The letter is addressed to, among others, the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Road Transport, the Licensing Authority, the Municipality of Paphos, the airport operator Hermes Airports, and the Members of Parliament for the Paphos district.
