Spain air traffic authority closes four airports

Spain air traffic authority closes four airports ; Spain's air traffic authority, Aena, said it has closed four airports, including Madrid, due to a lack of air traffic controllers during what is a holiday weekend. The other airports closed at some of the country's main tourist destinations are Ibiza, Palma de Majorca and Menorca – in the Balearic Islands.

Aena said the reason for the closures is that many controllers have not turned up for work, claiming to be ill, in what appears to be a covert strike. Spain's air traffic controllers have been involved in a long negotiation process with state-owned Aena over wages, working conditions and privileges.

BBC Britons warned to expect Spain flight delays ;
Thousands of Britons due back from Spain are being warned to expect some delays as airlines resume flights after a strike by air traffic controllers. Up to 20,000 UK passengers are thought to have been affected by the unofficial walk-out which led to flights in and out of Spain being cancelled.

Ryanair cancelled 450 flights on Saturday, and Easyjet 100, owing to the 24-hour wildcat strike from Friday. Passengers are being advised to contact their airline before travelling,

The Spanish government declared a "state of alarm" and threatened workers with prison terms after they called in sick en masse.

Some staff returned to work on Saturday night, but officials say it could take up to 48 hours before flights return to normal. Spanish civil aviation authority Aena said airspace reopened on Saturday and a small number of flights resumed at airports including Madrid, Bilbao and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.

Easyjet said it had put up 6,000 passengers - of which about half are thought to be Britons - in hotels. Iberia also cancelled flights between Spain and the UK.

A total of 70 flights were cancelled in and out of Gatwick, 42 at Stansted, and 22 at Heathrow. Manchester suffered 10 cancellations, while 16 flights failed to leave Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

On Saturday, UK travel association Abta said thousands of British passengers were stuck despite it being a fairly quiet time of year. Spokesman Sean Tipton advised customers to keep in contact with their airline or tour operator. For the latest updates PRESS CTR + D or visit Stock Market news Today

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