Strikes To Affect Spanish Air Traffic

27 March 2012

A general strike called by Spanish unions this coming Thursday (March 29) is expected to have a serious impact on transport sectors in the country, including air traffic, bus and train services.

The unions are protesting against high unemployment rates as well as changes to laws that will make it cheaper for companies to lay off employees.

According to Reuters, the unions and government have agreed to retain minimum transport services, including 20% of flights between Spanish and other European airports, and only 10% of flights will operate between destinations on the Spanish mainland and 50% between the mainland and Spanish islands.

The public works ministry says commuter and subway trains are expected to operate at 35% of normal schedules during peak hours, and 30% during non-peak hours. Buses will also run at much lower rates than normal.