Spanish air-traffic control strike: Some staff return to work

Spain’s civil aviation agency has said some striking air traffic controllers were returning to work after the government threatened prison terms under military law.

An official said 11 of 15 controllers stationed at Barcelona’s airport went back to work today and an unspecified number were also back on duty at the air control centre which oversees Madrid’s bustling Barajas airport.

The official also said one flight has left the Canary Islands for Luxembourg.

Spain’s government had declared an unprecedented “state of alarm” due to the strike which has largely closed the country’s airspace.

Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said this meant that the controllers were now under orders to go back to work and can be charged with a crime under the military penal code if they refuse. If convicted, they could face jail.

He said most Spanish airports were not up and running today.

Aer Lingus is meanwhile advising of severe delays to its services.

Ryanair has cancelled all flights to and from Spain, Portugal and the Canaries.

The airline's Stephen McNamara is advising passengers to check the Ryanair website.