Athens' international airport was facing more closures and obstruction to traffic on July 15 2010 as flights to and from Greece were blocked for at least four hours by striking public sector officials, international media reported.

Public hospitals and other state institutions would also be on strike, in protest against the pension reform plans and the austerity measures implemented by the Pasok-led government. A rally was also scheduled to take place outside the parliament building in central Athens and Syntagma square on July 15

On July 14, hundreds of police officers and Greek fire-fighters went out on a protest against the pension reforms that would extend their retirement age from the current 53 to 60 years. The Greek government was imposing austerity measures in return for a 110 billion euro bail-out from the EU and IMF.

Greek media have reported that to date, 16 000 companies have declared bankruptcy in Greece since the turmoil around the country's public finances situation began, while by the end of 2010, a total of 60 000 firms were expected to go under, with a further 110 000 people losing their jobs.

Also on July 14, in a protest separate to those regarding the austerity measures, communist activists from the KKE-affiliated labour union PAME delayed an Israel-bound flight for about two hours at Athens International Airport after protesters against the blockade of Gaza blocked check-in counters, airport officials said.

PAME activists blocked five El Al airline counters for two hours to protest the Israeli blockade of Gaza and the Jewish state’s oppressive policies.

"This was an action taken in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their effort to establish a Palestinian state," union spokesman Giorgos Pontikos told Greek media. He said police were present at the protest but did not intervene.

That protest occurred as a Libya-chartered ship carrying aid to the Gaza Strip was due to sail to an Egyptian port to avoid challenging an Israeli naval blockade of the Palestinian territory