Spain threatens possible 'state of alert' over walk-out

Spain's government threatened striking air traffic controllers that it would declare a “state of alert” if the controls did not return to their posts following a mass walk-out.

4 December 2010, 12:00am

1 min read

"If the situation doesn't normalise, the government will declare a state of alert," Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Rubalcaba told an emergency cabinet meeting.

"The controllers will be mobilised and if they don't get back to work, their cases will be passed immediately to the judiciary and they will be accused of a crime which could mean a prison sentence."

The Spanish army took over air control towers on Friday after unofficial strike action by controllers grounded planes and disrupted travel for around 250,000 people on one of Spain's busiest holiday weekends.

About six hours after the nation descended into total travel chaos, Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba announced that the Defense Ministry had "taken control of air traffic in all the national territory." He said the army would make all decisions on air traffic control, organization, planning and supervision.

If enough controllers do not show up for work Saturday to restore normal flight operations, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero plans to declare a national emergency that would force them to do so, Rubalcaba said.

No-show controllers will face unspecified criminal charges punishable by "serious prison time," he said.