The government has announced plans to part-privatise the country’s state airport authority, Aena, selling off a 49% stake in the body that runs the country’s airports.
AENA planning increase in airport taxes
The Spanish airport authority, AENA, is planning to raise airport taxes and aerial navigation charges by an average of 10.2%.
Proposal to extend tender deadline for El Prat and Barajas airports
The president of AENA, Juan Lema, is to propose to the Board of Directors that the deadline for the submission of tenders for the running of El Prat and Barajas airports be extended until January 31st 2012.
Airport strikes called off
Good news for tourism and travellers in general, the planned strikes by air traffic controllers have been called off after a preliminary agreement was reached with the CCOO, UGT and USO unions representing AENA workers. The draft agreement was reached after a twenty hour session of negotiations and was ratified in a referendum by over 73% of the workforce.
Strike calendar
If talks fail and the planned AENA strikes do eventually go ahead, they will be on: April 20, 21, 24, 25 and 30, May 2, 14, 15, 19 and 20, June 13, 23 and 30, July 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 and 31 and August 1, 15 and 31.
Airport strike threat
In the absence of any agreement so far, AENA employees have announced a series of proposed strikes at Spanish airports, the first of which would take place during Easter Week.
More air traffic control privatisation
Following the announcement of the partial privatisation of Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat airports, the government has opened the way for more airports to become privately managed, another 13 in total.
AENA initiates disciplinary proceedings against wildcat strikers
The airport authority AENA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against 442 workers who took part in the wildcat strike which closed Spanish airspace for a total of eighteen hours on Friday and Saturday.
Increase in passenger numbers at Málaga airport
According to the director of AENA, Juan Ignacio Lema, overall passenger figures for Málaga airport already show an increase over 2009 and this gives grounds for optimism for the rest of the year.
USCA and AENA reach an agreement
The Union of Air Traffic Controllers, USCA, and the Airport Authority, AENA, have signed a basic agreement which removes the threat of industrial action and paves the way for further talks.