Athens - Dozens of international flights at Greek airports were cancelled Wednesday morning after air traffic controllers walked off the job in a show of solidarity with farmers protesting falling commodity prices.

The 24-hour strike began at midnight despite a court ruling that declared the walkout illegal.

Most international airlines had informed their customers of the strike and rebooked them on flights for Thursday, Greek radio reported.

Domestic flights, however, were operating normally, the reports said.

The air traffic controllers were demanding the hiring of additional personnel and an improvement in their health-care benefits.

They also wanted to show unity with farmers, who have been demanding tax rebates and subsidies in a week and a half of protests in which they have cut access to major highways and blocked border crossings with Bulgaria and Turkey. (dpa)