Goldair Handling strike at airport, affecting Kontides’ flight

Workers at airport handling company Goldair Handling went on an impromptu strike at Larnaca airport on Friday, impacting the inbound flight of Cypriot Olympic medallist Pavlos Kontides, among others.

A source from Larnaca airport, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Cyprus Mail, “they just went on strike, they did not tell us anything, and they did not tell us why.”

Pavlos Kontides, who returned from France on Friday after having won an Olympic silver medal, was among the impacted passengers, with his coach Jozo Jakelic among those left waiting for his luggage when workers downed tools.

In addition, outbound aircraft were left stranded on the tarmac, with a Jet Time flight bound for Danish capital Copenhagen sat with its front door open with no ground workers available to perform their duties.

The Cyprus Mail understands that the strike has since ended, though there may be knock-on delays to flights both arriving at and departing from Larnaca airport on Friday afternoon and evening.

The Cyprus Mail attempted to contact Goldair Handling for comment.