Government declares 'state of alarm' over air traffic controller's strike

SPAIN (AP) Spain's government has declared an unprecedented "state of alarm" over an air traffic controllers strike that has largely closed the country's air space. Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said this means that the controllers are now under orders to go back to work and can be charged with a crime under the military penal code if they refuse. If convicted, they could face jail time. He said most Spanish airports were not up and running Saturday. Written into the Spanish Constitution, a 'state of alarm' also allows the government to take over certain key or strategic functions directly. In fact, the military already took over the air traffic controllers' jobs, though there have been reports all morning of a trickle back to work. Passengers at the airports are more directly impacted, but the strike is now having an effect on such things as sports fixtures, medical emeregencies, etc. But what exactly is it the controllers are asking for? (Read the rest of the article and a background of the strike on CampoPulse)

How has the ash cloud affected you?

(Photo: www.telegraph.co.uk) We are increasingly hearing horror stories about how local people are being affected by the air transport paralysis throughout not just Europe but the whole world: from those with travel to the UK planned and paid for, to relatives or friends stuck as far away as Australia. Please tell us how the situation has affected you or anyone you know, however unimportant it may seem. (We want some communication from our readers so that everyone can commiserate together...)

King Juan Carlos opens Málaga Airport's Terminal 3

(Agencies / Photo: EFE) King Juan Carlos this morning opened the new terminal at Málaga Airport. Referring to the importance of the city in terms of tourism, the monarch said that Terminal 3 is "an undoubtable recognition of Málaga's weight and tradition. It is the only airport in Spain that remains in its original place." The King congratulated "everyone who took part in its design, planning and construction." He also had words of compassion for those who have suffered damage caused by recent weather in Andalucía. (This item is also published on CampoPulse. See also Video Introducing Málaga Airport Terminal 3.)

Ryanair to open Málaga operations base

(Agencies) Ryanair has announced a new operations base to open in Málaga in June next year, which will be the low cost airline’s 38th base worldwide and its fifth in Spain. Four aircraft are to be permanently based at the facilities. The company's CEO, Michael O’Leary (photo), gave the news at a press conference in Málaga on Wednesday, announcing that the new base will bring with it 19 new routes from the Costa del Sol capital, bringing Ryanair’s total routes at Málaga Airport up to 39 and its number of flights per week up to 360. The new routes include connections in Spain with Santander, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza and Valladolid, and, in Europe, with Berlin Schonefeld, Munich West, Paris Beauvais, Stockholm, Oslo and Venice.>

Iberia cabin crew strike, 42 flights to Andalucía cancelled

(Agencies) A total of 430 national and international flights have been cancelled today and tomorrow, Tuesday, as a result of a strike called by cabin crew unions. Málaga, Sevilla, Granada and Jerez are affected by 42 of the cancelled flights. Of close to 1000 daily flights planned, some 360 domestic and 70 international will be cancelled over the two days. Madrid-Barajas has a total of 210 cancellations, while Barcelona-El Prat has 57. Iberia flights operated by Vueling, Air Nostrum and other code-sharing comapnies are not impacted by the strike. Passengers with tickets for the cancelled flights can request date changes or their money back until November 15. New tickets will be valid until March 31, 2010.