Earlier efforts to privatise Olympic have failed

A number of flights were cancelled while many took off only after long delays, according to information on the website of Athens international airport.

About 19,000 passengers were affected by the walkout, Olympic Airways said.

The protest by workers came less than a week after the Greek government announced plans to relaunch the national flag carrier as a partially privatised company with a slimmed-down workforce and its debts paid off.

Illegal

Olympic's main union had earlier called off the planned 24-hour strike after a court ruled it illegal.

FLIGHTS CANCELLED (EVENING) Milan Rome Larnaca London Thessaloniki Alexandroupoli Source: Athens International Airport

But many workers responded by calling in sick or staying away.

Some protested outside the Greek parliament where MPs were due to debate the relaunch plans.

The government intention is to have Olympic restored to financial health before next year's Olympic Games in Athens.

Fallen through

Olympic, which has debts of about half a billion euros, was seen as Europe's most vulnerable airline even before the slump in global passenger numbers triggered by the 11 September attacks.

Two previous attempts at privatising the carrier have fallen through in the past two years after key bidders pulled out.

The Greek government is hoping that halving labour costs - by reducing the company's workforce to about 2,000 from 6,000 - will help potential buyers keep their nerve this time.

The job cuts will be achieved partly by outsourcing Olympic's baggage handling and maintenance operations, leaving the airline to focus on flying.

The government last week said Greek banks had started talks with potential buyers of a 51% stake in the airline.