Greek taxi drivers blocked roads to Athens' airport and main harbour on Monday, holding up thousands of tourists at the start of a two-day protest against plans to liberalise their trade, Reuters reported. The Greek government has brought in a list of controversial reforms and austerity measures, under pressure from the EU and the International Monetary Fund to deregulate the economy and slash the budget deficit. Taxi drivers said they were protesting against moves to relax rules governing their business and other highly-regulated sectors. About 2,000 taxis had lined up on the highway leading to the capital's airport, leaving only one lane open and causing an 8 kilometre (5 mile) traffic jam, a police official said. "Fifteen international and domestic flights have had an average 20 minute delay this morning as a result of the traffic jam and the taxi drivers' blockage," said an airport spokeswoman. "The taxi drivers are lined up along the coastal road at Piraeus port. They have blocked the gate to the cruise ships' docking station," a coastguard spokesman said.
