British travellers are awaiting flights home from Cyprus following delays yesterday when workers at Paphos International Airport walked out.

Ground staff announced earlier in the day that they would strike for two hours from 2pm, but then extended the strike until around 7pm local time.

The strike affected more than 20 flights, with some being diverted to Larnaca airport, luggage at Paphos not being unloaded and passengers being put up in hotels after waiting for several hours to be told what was happening.

Passengers travelling with Jet2 and TUI were among those unable to fly home last night, while easyJet customers also tweeted to say their flights had been disrupted.

One Jet2 traveller told Aviation Source there had been ‘no updates’.

TUI told Travel Gossip on Wednesday night: “All customers will be provided with overnight accommodation, transfers and meals.”

Jet2 issued a statement to Travel Gossip on Wednesday night saying: “Due to last-minute and unforeseen strike action by external ground handling staff at Paphos Airport earlier today (Wednesday 2 November), a number of flights due to depart Paphos to the UK this evening will now night stop overseas.

“Our teams are doing everything they can to look after customers, including arranging hotel accommodation.

“Although this is completely outside of our control, we would of course like to apologise to all customers who have been affected. 

“Jet2.com has no additional scheduled flights due to operate to Paphos Airport tomorrow (Thursday 3 November).”

News service In Cyprus reports this morning that ‘chaos still prevails’, adding: “The protest was to last for two hours only but got prolonged ending five hours later instead.”

The strike was called after more than 150 employees were handed redundancy notices on Tuesday after being taken over by a new company, leaving the Greek government to step in.

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said he wants the issue resolved within a week.