General Strike in Greece Cancels All Flights Between Sofia, Athens

Protestors hold banners and shout slogans during a demonstration in central Athens. Photo: EPA

All flights between the Bulgarian and Greek capitals are cancelled due to a general strike taking place in Greece on Thursday.

Public sector union ADEDY called for a nationwide strike against the planned pensions reforms.

As a result of air traffic controllers deciding to join the strike, there will be no incoming or outgoing flights at Greek airports on Thursday.

The strike will also affect public hospitals, which will only handle emergencies, state schools and services at tax and municipal offices.

The public transport will run as usual as workers in the sector decided not to go on strike.

However TV news programmes will be suspended as journalists will be joining the strike.

The strike comes after negotiations for reform of the country’s pension system between Greek Labour Minister Giorgos Katrougalos and representatives of the troika of international creditors on Wednesday.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is aiming to conclude negotiations before the meeting of the Eurogroup scheduled to take place on April 22.

European officials have warned that if the review is not finalized before the meeting, Greece will face a difficult situation.

The Federation of public hospital workers (POEDIN) is to protest outside the building of the health ministry.

The strikes are set to continue on Friday as port workers will protest against the planned privatization of Piraeus and Thessaloniki ports, with the protesters to march in the centre of Athens.

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