Misery as holidaymakers face 24-hour delays

Holidaymakers have been warned to expect delays of nearly 24 hours as a result of the coach strike in the Balearic Islands.

One group of passengers booked on a flight to Palma from Gatwick were suffering a 22-hour delay and the situation was getting worse, an airport spokesman said.

The Britannia flight had been due to depart at 12.55pm on Saturday but passeFogartyd down in the airport after it was delayed until 11am today.

The situation at Gatwick was "deteriorating" as the knock-on effect of the strike delayed flights to other destinations, said Peter Burton, Manager of Terminal Operations.

"Things are worsening here because of the heavy flow of passengers.

"Palma has restricted in-bound flights to just 10 an hour and that has had a big effect on delays. The situation is deteriorating," he said.

He added: "The strike is having knock-on effects because the aircraft involved are also supposed to be used for flights to other destinations."

As a result a Rhodes flight which should have left at 7pm on Saturday has been delayed until 9am today. Passengers have been advised to turn up and check-in on time but be prepared for lengthy delays.

The coach drivers have rejected a possible deal in their strike over pay, meaning holidaymakers arriving on Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza had to wait in taxi queues for three hours or more before being able to reach their villas and apartments.

Return flights to the UK and Ireland were also severely affected and 7,000 people spent Friday night at Palma airport, Majorca, after their planes home were delayed.