Ryanair fears Spanish Air Traffic Control strikes

Ryanair is calling on the Spanish Government to ensure that Spain’s vital airports remain open and operating if air traffic control (ATC) workers strike in August. 
 
Ryanair is requesting that the Spanish Government to intervene in these strikes to ensure that Spain’s airports remain open for business, if necessary by instructing the Spanish military to operate air traffic control.
 
Ryanair pointed out that in other EU countries the military can ensure air transport continues to operate, even during strikes, by providing vital services such as Air Traffic Control.
 
Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said:
 
“Air transport and tourism are vital to the Spanish economy and the Government must ensure that Spanish airports remain open during strikes by calling on the military to provide air traffic control services.  While air traffic controllers have the right to strike, these actions should not be allowed to disrupt the travel plans of millions of Spanish citizens or visitors.
 
“The Government must keep Spain’s vital airports and air traffic control services open even during periods of industrial disruption. This happens in many other European countries when strikes threaten air transport and it should happen in Spain as well so that innocent air passengers are not blackmailed or held to ransom by Spanish transport workers.
 
“Spanish Air Traffic Control strikes and the industrial action taken by French ATC workers in recent weeks highlight the urgent need for a standardised Europe-wide system of air traffic control to ensure that striking air traffic controllers in one country do not hold the travelling public to ransom. Under a standardised Europe-wide air traffic control system, strikes would be covered by controllers in other countries - ensuring that passengers are not disrupted by the strike action of very well-paid ATC workers.”