Air traffic at Geneva Airport was at a standstill on Friday, with dozens of flight arrivals and departures cancelled due to a strike over pay by public service staff who plan to continue striking into Saturday.
About a hundred employees stood outside the airport's departure area on Friday morning to protest against a salary policy approved by the airport's board of directors that imposes a freeze on pay increases.
The airport, a hub for diplomats and officials travelling to the United Nations, had air traffic halted between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time on Friday.
"The strike could continue tomorrow," Geneva Airport wrote on Twitter. "For the rest of the afternoon, flights will resume but delays and cancellations are likely."
The Public Services Union voted to continue striking for the remainder of Friday and to return to the picket line on Saturday.
"I've been standing since 8 a.m., my legs hurts," said Geneva resident Malika Bennader, one of the passengers affected. "I'm not going to complain, I have everything I need, but it's serious," she said referring to the situation.
Jamshid Pouranpir, union secretary of the Public Services Union, told strikers outside Geneva Airport that a proposal by management that could have ended the strike was unacceptable.
"Of course it's unfortunate but we ask passengers to direct their anger towards the airport management that is responsible for this mess," he told Reuters.
Pierre Bernheim, president of Geneva Airport, said the strike was unjustified.
"I'm sad because they are taking passengers, who may have saved money for a long time, hostage," he said, describing the pay and work conditions at the airport as excellent.
The flight delays became apparent early on Friday, when passengers formed large lines to check in and go through security. The striking workers include security and emergency staff.
"I understand they are defending their purchasing power, but they could have chosen another day," said Gilles Segret, a resident of the French city of Annecy, who was scheduled to fly to Amsterdam.
Kent Normark, a Danish runner, was due to fly to Denmark for a 1,500-meter race on Saturday.
"I really hope to go back to Copenhagen," he said.
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