Spain may bring in military air controllers

Jul 20, 2010, 11:10 GMT

Madrid - The Spanish government is planning to bring in military air controllers to prevent flight delays arising from understaffing by civilian controllers, Infrastructure Minister Jose Blanco said Tuesday.

More than 100 flights were delayed Monday when more than one third of air controllers in Barcelona called in sick in what the government believes is an unofficial protest against working conditions.

A quarter of the 53 Barcelona controllers who were due to report for work on Tuesday morning failed to do so, making further delays likely. Barcelona controls mainly north-eastern and Balearic Islands airspace.

Military air controllers could replace civilian ones in 'exceptional circumstances,' Blanco said.

Increasing numbers of air controllers have been absent, citing illness or other reasons, since the government toughened their working conditions and cut their pay in February, the daily El Pais reported.

The air controllers were earning more than 300,000 euros (387,000 dollars) annually, considerably more than their counterparts in most other European countries.

The air controllers' union USCA denies there is a protest, saying the controllers' 'abusive' working hours have put them under so much stress that many have become ill.

Tourism professionals have expressed concern that the alleged protest could damage Spain's key tourism sector, which has been hit by the country's economic crisis, during the high season.

If it was confirmed that the absent air controllers were not really sick, they could be fired, Blanco said.