Chania and Heraklion airports blocked – Farmers refuse to back down

Farmers across the country remain on the streets, with demonstrations escalating and roadblocks multiplying, while tensions have peaked in Crete, where farmers and livestock breeders “besieged” the airports of Heraklion and Chania, broke through police lines, and blocked the airports. Specifically, in Chania, farmers blocked the road at the entrance of the airport, while in Heraklion they entered the airport runway, causing flights to return to their points of departure.

In both cases, extensive clashes broke out, with police forces using tear gas.

The main gate of Chania airport was closed from 14:30, preventing visitors, travelers, and tourists from entering or leaving “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” airport, except in cases involving medical needs. After clashes on the access road leading to the airport — including stone throwing, tear gas, stun grenades, and smoke — farmers and livestock breeders managed to break the police line and reach the main gate, where they placed garbage bins and their own bodies, as they said, “as a shield for the struggle for survival” they are fighting.

Two proposals are currently under discussion: one for a three-day blockade of the airport, and another suggesting the gate should open at night and close again around noon the next day. Police presence is now discreet, as authorities aim to avoid further tension, especially since citizens are gathered both in front of and behind the farmers’ blockade, asking to pass.

Most of the demonstrators are young and told the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (AMNA): “We do not want conflict, we do not want injuries or problems, but if we are provoked or if our voices are not heard, we will not keep our hands in our pockets.” The head of the Union, Mr. Verykakis, claimed that the clashes were provoked and that livestock breeders defended themselves.

A strong storm is currently hitting the area, yet everyone remains in place, stating: “Neither the weather nor anything else will make us leave. We will go only when our demands are met.”

Initially, the decision of the farmers and livestock breeders was to block the main gate from 14:00 to 16:00, but after what they describe as the stance of the police and the clashes that occurred, they decided to block the airport for an indefinite period.

Heraklion: Farmers entered the airport runway

At Heraklion airport, farmers managed to enter the runway of Nikos Kazantzakis airport and have blocked it until further notice. Two flights — one from Athens and one from Rhodes — were forced to return, according to Haniotika Nea. According to ERT, farmers will remain at the site until 5 p.m. on Monday (08/12), when they will hold another assembly to decide the next steps of their mobilizations. Earlier in the afternoon, clashes broke out between farmers and police forces. Police used tear gas, while farmers threw stones and other objects.

At the same time, the United Federation of Farmers’ and Livestock Breeders’ Associations of Heraklion issued a statement condemning the clashes.

The statement:

“The United Federation of Farmers’ and Livestock Breeders’ Associations of Heraklion (EOASH) categorically and unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attack by police forces with tear gas and violence against the militant demonstration of struggling farmers and livestock breeders of Crete, which began en masse and in an organized manner this morning from the Pankritio Stadium, heading toward Heraklion airport.

It condemns the well-known authoritarian behavior and hostile stance against the struggling small and medium-sized farmers who are fighting for their survival.

This is the familiar policy of an unjust and authoritarian state, which in its panic tries to use intimidation and repression to stop our struggle. It is the well-known government recipe: where the ‘bogus’ dialogue doesn’t work, the baton comes down; where their policies fail, they resort to familiar methods such as social automation, repression, etc.

If they think that by doing this they will stop our struggle or distract the farmers, the only thing they will achieve is to make us even more determined and stronger. After all, we have very little left to lose when our land, our homes, and our production are at risk!

Hands off the small and medium farmers and livestock breeders of Crete — justice will prevail!

Remove the riot police vehicles and repressive forces immediately!

We do not retreat; we continue; we will win!”

Traffic regulations

The Heraklion Police Directorate announces that due to the farmers’ demonstrations in the Regional Unit of Heraklion, vehicle circulation is prohibited:

• On the section of the Northern Road Axis of Crete from the Kallithea junction to the Kastelli junction
• On the section of the Old National Road Heraklion–Agios Nikolaos from the Karteros–Episkopi intersection to the Ikarou–Karteros intersection.

Vehicle traffic on the Northern Road Axis of Crete will proceed as follows:

• For the direction from Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion: vehicles will exit at Hersonissos and via the Heraklion–Kastelli National Road will proceed toward Kastelli–Peza and Heraklion.

• For the direction from Rethymno to Agios Nikolaos: vehicles will exit at Kazantzidis and via the Heraklion–Peza Provincial Road will proceed toward Peza–Kastelli and then Hersonissos–V.O.A.K.–Agios Nikolaos.

Drivers are requested to follow the instructions of police officers for the smooth implementation of the traffic regulations”.