Heraklion airport reopens – Farmers withdraw

Heraklion Airport is reopening following the farmers’ decision to withdraw from the site and continue their protests on the BOAK highway.

According to patris.gr, after a decision by the Coordinating Committee of farmers and livestock breeders, the blockade is leaving the airport and heading to the BOAK, where the next course of action will be determined.

As stated by the president of the Anogeia Livestock Association, Vasilis Manouras, during the departure of farmers and breeders, they do not wish — nor was it ever their intention — to cause problems for anyone. “We are leaving peacefully,” Manouras said in statements made alongside the President of the Association of Tourism & Travel Agents of Crete, Michalis Vlatakis, who was at the airport to speak with participants in the demonstration.

It was emphasized that the withdrawal is “a gesture of goodwill and support for the tourism sector, which, together with the primary sector, form the main economic pillars of Crete.” “We do not want to come into conflict with our fellow citizens; we ask for understanding for what happened,” he added.

How many flights were affected

According to the Heraklion airport director, three flights were canceled — two domestic and one international — while delays occurred on a total of 21 flights: ten departures and eleven arrivals. Average departure delays ranged from 40 minutes to 5.5 hours, while arrival delays reached up to 5 hours.

It was also noted that some flights operated slightly earlier than scheduled last night before 11 p.m., in order to avoid the airport’s renewed closure. For today, until the required safety inspection is completed, an estimated 11 flights are affected — eight departures and three arrivals.

 

 

They plan their next moves at Chania Airport

Farmers and livestock breeders remained inside the arrival halls throughout the night in Chania, organizing the next steps of their protest. The main gate remains open, passenger movement is unhindered, and flights are operating on schedule without delays, with everyone awaiting whether the meeting they have requested will take place.

The farmers seek a meeting involving representatives of the primary sector, local government, and the region’s New Democracy MPs, aiming — as the protest coordinators have stated — to establish communication with the government. Their planning includes intensifying their mobilizations if there are no government commitments on their demands, foremost the payment of subsidies through the Technical Solution method and addressing the high cost of animal feed.

They also demand that the new Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) be the result of negotiation and dialogue with them, as the conditions they face are driving them to extinction. Their goal, they stress, is to continue mobilizing if no commitments are made, placing on the agenda not only the airport blockade, but also the blockade at Megala Chorafia on the BOAK and the port of Souda. According to information, local police forces will be reinforced by units from Athens, while within the agricultural ranks a debate has begun on the impact of yesterday’s violent clashes — stone-throwing, police injuries, and damage to police vehicles — and whether such images help or weaken their struggle for their demands and public support.

Regarding the Megala Chorafia blockade on the BOAK, the decision of the coordinating committee is to maintain the blockade and symbolically interrupt traffic daily for half an hour between 14:00 and 14:30.

The Nikaia blockade

In Nikaia, farmers from Thessaly have decided on a mild escalation of their actions this week, declaring their intention to block the port of Volos. On Tuesday afternoon, the Nikaia blockade will hold a general assembly to determine next steps, while maintaining coordination with other blockades nationwide.

Το μπλόκο των αγροτών στη Νίκαια ΛάρισαςOn Wednesday, a group of farmers with tractors will depart for Volos to support farmers and fishermen in Magnesia who plan to block the port. All of this is being done in the lead-up to the nationwide farmers’ assembly scheduled for this coming Saturday or Sunday.

Extended blockades at the Evzoni, Promachonas, Exochi and Niki border checkpoints

Producers continue extended blockades today at the Evzoni and Niki border crossings with North Macedonia, and at Promachonas and Exochi on the border with Bulgaria, following decisions from their general assemblies. The blockades affect both inbound and outbound traffic and mainly target international freight trucks.

Specifically, a four-hour blockade (until 16:00) is underway at Evzoni. According to a member of the coordinating committee, the assembly also decided to close the checkpoint again from 18:00 for at least another four hours. Further escalation is being considered, with decisions expected in a new assembly later today.

The Evzoni blockade, established on 1 December, includes producers from Paionia municipality, Giannitsa in Pella, and the Kilkis region, while representatives from other workers’ unions are present daily.

At Promachonas, participants are carrying out an eight-hour blockade (until 20:00), affecting only freight trucks. Passenger cars and buses may still pass. Truck drivers are present at the site, and the blockade is being reinforced by other unions.

Farmers from Nevrokopi in Drama are also executing an eight-hour blockade (until 20:00) at their post 500 meters from Exochi checkpoint, fully coordinated with Promachonas. Freight trucks of all types are prohibited from crossing during the blockade hours, while passenger vehicles and tourist buses use detour routes.

The Agricultural and Livestock Association of Kato Nevrokopi has issued a call for society at large — institutions, professionals, and citizens — to support the protest today at 12:00 at Exochi checkpoint.

At the Niki checkpoint, farmers and breeders are implementing a four-hour blockade starting at 10:00. Further escalation will be decided in their general assembly later today.

Farmers in Western Thessaly Intensify Their Actions

Farmers in western Thessaly remain at the blockades set up along the E65 motorway. Karditsa farmers are positioned on the E65, while Trikala farmers are stationed at the Longos tolls, also on the E65. Both blockades continue to grow and expand, joined by farmers, livestock breeders, and beekeepers from the two regions.

Farmers at both blockades hold daily assemblies to coordinate their struggle, deciding on additional forms of action and alignment with local labor unions and mass organizations.

The Coordinating Committee of the E65 blockade in Karditsa announced a solidarity gathering for Thursday, December 11, at 6 p.m. at the blockade site, stressing that “we share common problems, therefore our struggle must be common.”

Patras: New Escalation by Farmers and Livestock Breeders in Western Greece

Farmers and livestock breeders in the Region of Western Greece are preparing for a new escalation of their protests. They are participating in blockades across the prefectures of Aetolia–Akarnania, Achaia, and Ilia.

In Aetolia–Akarnania, the Antirrio–Ioannina motorway remains blocked at the Angelokastro tolls near Agrinio. The coordinating committee has scheduled an assembly with local bodies today at 8 p.m.

The committee has also called for a protest tomorrow, Wednesday at 11 a.m., on the Rio–Antirrio Bridge.

Meanwhile, farmers and breeders from Nafpaktia, Dorida, Mesolongi, and Vonitsa remain mobilized, maintaining blockades at the Mornos and Evinos bridges and along the Amvrakia road.

In Achaia, farmers have blocked the new Patras–Pyrgos motorway at the Kato Achaia junction, while farmers from Aigialeia have set up a blockade at the Selinoundas bridge in Aigio, carrying out a short daily blockade of the Patras–Corinth motorway.

Additionally, since Monday, farmers have parked tractors and agricultural machinery on Patras’ major ring road, forcing traffic to be diverted via the K1–Patras Port and Ovrya junctions.

In Ilia, the farmers’ blockade is located at the Pyrgos junction. They conduct short daily closures of the Patras–Pyrgos motorway, while on Monday evening the nearby tolls were opened.

For this morning, they have planned a motorized march and a protest rally in the city of Pyrgos.

Farmer Blockades in Macedonia – Thrace

The first blockade in Halkidiki is being set up today at 12 noon at the Nikiti traffic lights in Sithonia, following a recent general assembly decision by local beekeepers and farmers.

Beekeepers with their vehicles, along with farmers using tractors and agricultural machinery from areas such as Ormylia, Nikiti, and Sykia, will gather at the site. During a new on-site assembly, participants will jointly decide on the structure and form of their upcoming actions.

Farmer blockades at Prasina Fanaria – Derveni – Malgara – Chalkidona

Tractors and agricultural vehicles of farmers and livestock breeders remain lined up at *Prasina Fanaria*, the key junction before “Macedonia” airport. A few meters ahead, police vehicles remain positioned across the roadway, preventing farmers from approaching the airport junction, where in recent days they attempted to set up a second blockade.

“We are not blocking the road, nor do we intend to cause traffic problems,” a member of the coordinating committee told the Athens–Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), adding: “Setting up a second blockade at the airport junction is symbolic.”

Meanwhile, during yesterday’s meeting in Trilofos, representatives from 20 blockades across Northern Greece formed a coordinating committee. The committee noted that dialogue with the prime minister and government members is not ruled out, but would only occur under specific terms and conditions. They also decided to escalate their mobilizations with actions that include blocking critical infrastructure such as the Kalohori refinery, the Central Macedonia Region building, and the port of Thessaloniki.

A proposal was also put forward for substantial dialogue on the agricultural issue, through a conference with six thematic sections covering livestock farming, fisheries, beekeeping, extensive farming, orchards, and vegetable crops. The proposal includes participation from all blockades and secretarial support from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. Should the government reject it, farmers propose continuing dialogue with the opposition.

Farmers from the municipality of Lagadas will proceed today with a symbolic one-hour blockade at the Derveni junction, where the old Thessaloniki–Kavala national road intersects other major routes, including the road to Nea Santa, Kilkis. The exact time will be decided at a general assembly after 11 a.m. Yesterday’s symbolic blockade lasted one hour, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Farmers from the Delta municipality and the wider area remain positioned at the Malgara tolls on the Athens–Thessaloniki motorway. Since December 1, they have kept the Athens-bound lanes closed, while the Thessaloniki-bound lanes open and close periodically. Today they intend to block the Thessaloniki-bound lanes for two hours starting at 18:30, subject to final approval by their assembly.

At the Chalkidona blockade, farmers will again carry out a two-hour closure today, from 1 p.m., in both directions of the old Thessaloniki–Edessa national road. The site has been reinforced by farmers from various parts of Pella.

Situation in Imathia – Pella – Pieria

Since December 3, farmers from Alexandria have been carrying out an indefinite blockade of the northbound lanes toward Veria on the Egnatia motorway at the Niselio junction. One lane remains open exclusively for emergency vehicles. Farmers and breeders from Krya Vrysi, Pella, have joined with tractors and vehicles.

Another blockade was set up on December 2 at the Kouloura junction. Farmers plan a two-hour symbolic blockade today of the detour routes. “Today we expect reinforcement from colleagues in Agia Varvara,” said the president of the Veria Agricultural Association, Tasos Chalkidis, adding that this will allow another symbolic closure. Blocking the detours significantly restricts access to Veria, especially since the Niselio blockade has indefinitely closed the Egnatia motorway toward the city.

For tomorrow, participants at the Kouloura blockade have decided on a motorized march to the ELGA building in Veria. Further actions will be determined in daily assemblies.

Additional blockades have been set up at the Gypsokhoiri junction on the Thessaloniki–Edessa national road, while farmers from Vegoritida and Kaimaktsalan have lined up their tractors at the “Alysida” location near the Drosia intersection in Pella.

Their demands include immediate payment of all outstanding subsidies and compensations — old and new; guaranteed minimum prices that cover production costs; reduced production costs through tax-free fuel at the pump; a 7-cent/kWh cap on agricultural electricity; and a complete overhaul of the ELGA compensation system to cover 100% of production and assets from all risks. Farmers in Vegoritida specifically demand ELGA compensation for frost damage to peach crops, immediate advance payments, and updated compensation for losses in apples and cherries.

Producers in Skydra also remain mobilized and may again carry out a symbolic blockade of the border crossing today.

A new blockade was set up yesterday at the Naousa Train Station junction, where farmers from the United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Imathia strengthened their presence. At midday they conducted a symbolic closure of the Veria–Skydra national road, with a similar action planned for today, pending assembly confirmation.

Farmers in Edessa have set up a blockade on the ring road at the “Traffic Lights” location, typically blocking the road from midday until 6 p.m., forcing all vehicles to pass through the city.

In Pieria, farmers in Aiginio have established their own blockade at the town’s entrance, carrying out symbolic closures of the old Thessaloniki–Katerini national road.

Developments in Drama and Kavala

Farmers in Drama will hold a four-hour blockade from 1 p.m. at the Kokkinogeia–Prosotsani junction, a key link connecting local communities with the Bulgarian border via Exaplatanos, and with the city of Drama.

In Kavala, three blockades have been set up — in Chrysoupoli, at the Ancient Theater of Philippi, and at the Mouztheni junction on the Egnatia motorway.

An indefinite blockade also continues at the Kerdyllia junction on the Egnatia motorway between Kerdyllia and Serres, affecting both directions. All traffic, including freight trucks, is being routed through detours.

Map of blockades in Western Macedonia

Farmers, livestock breeders, and beekeepers remain at the Filotas junction blockade on the Kozani–Florina vertical axis of the Pan-European Corridor X. No action is scheduled for today, but a general assembly will determine next steps.

Farmers in Western Macedonia also remain with their tractors at the Bara Siatistas blockade on the Egnatia motorway, a site that is reinforced daily. Traffic is being rerouted via the old Kozani–Kastoria national road.