Spanish air strike heaps misery on travellers

More misery was piled onto travellers this weekend after the disruption caused by the snow in the UK when Spanish air traffic control walked out in an unexpected wildcat strike.

Airlines are expecting disruption to services leaving the UK today and for holidaymakers returning to the UK after the strike closed Spanich airspace on Friday night.

Overnight Spanish authorities were said to be preparing to declare a State of Alert this morning with the military expected to move in to take control of the country’s 47 airport traffic control towers.

Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, Spain’s deputy prime minister, warned: "If a controller does not show up to his work place he will be placed immediately in custody accused of a crime which could mean serious prison sentences."

Since the start of the strike on Friday evening 1,686 of the 5,032 flights due to leave Spanish airports have been cancelled and the travel plans of 330,000 passengers have been disrupted.

The strike was timed to coincide with a major Spanish holiday and has prompted lowcost carrier Ryanair to cancel 74 flights. The walkout is the latest spat in a long-running dispute Spanish air traffic control is having about a partial privatisation of the service which were ratified last week.