Last minute holiday bookings, both flights and hotels, were widely anticipated as going some way towards to salvaging the recession hit tourist industry, but the threatened strike by Spanish air traffic controllers has already resulted in cancellations, some potential visitors choosing an alternative destination.
If the strike goes ahead, the industry could lose millions of euros, hardly what is needed during a recession. There could also be the question of the already hard-hit airlines having to pay out compensation. And the tourist resorts, already suffering, will suffer even more.
The strike threat is being widely condemned as ‘irresponsible’ and likely to have an effect on both tourism and unemployment. Even if the strike doesn’t, in the end, go ahead, much damage has already been done with large numbers changing their proposed destination from Spain to another country where travel prospects are more reliable.
Air traffic controllers in Spain are amongst the highest paid in Europe. On the table during the current negotiations is a guaranteed average annual salary of €200,000 for 1,670 hours per year. Doctors, for example, earn around €60,000 per year.