Heraklion Airport on the island of Crete remains closed amid escalating demonstrations by farmers and livestock breeders, whose mobilizations began early Monday, Dec. 8, joining nationwide protests.

According to local outlet patris.gr, the airport operated from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday. After completing necessary security checks, farmers voluntarily withdrew from the runway as a gesture of goodwill, allowing stranded passengers inside the terminal to board their scheduled flights.

The protesting groups are expected to decide on the next steps of their mobilization during a general assembly scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

At Crete’s other major airport, Chania Airport, operations continue normally, with the main gate open and passenger movement unobstructed.

Meanwhile, police forces on Crete are being reinforced. Four riot police units from Athens are expected to arrive on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to support local authorities managing the farmers’ blockades. Their specific deployment locations remain unclear.

Heraklion’s police have been on high alert for hours, facing pressure from both protesting farmers and frustrated tourists. The additional units from Athens are expected to provide much-needed relief.