Pilots strike leaves passengers stranded in Cyprus

About 2,500 passengers were left stranded in Cyprus today when pilots from the Mediterranean island’s state-owned airline walked out because flight crew had been sacked.

Fourteen Cyprus Airways flights were cancelled from Larnaca airport as the pilot walk-out grounded the airline’s entire fleet, said spokesman Tassos Angeli.

The pilots walked out in sympathy with 22 senior flight stewards who received termination notices as part of the airline’s economy drive.

Trade unions said the strike will continue until the 22 stewards are reinstated.

Last week, Cyprus Airways announced a record loss of £44m (€64m) last year and said it would have to lay off more than 100 employees, from a work force of 2,000, to save money.

The airline is 6 % owned by the Cypriot government.