Spain's Air-Traffic controllers 'forced' back to work

Almost 60% of the air-traffic controllers who took sick leave at the same time have now returned to their duties, bringing an end to much of the disruption seen in airports across Spain over the last few weeks.

AENA, the Airline governing body, has insited that all personnel take a medical check, of which 136 out of the 205 tested passed. It is claimed that AENA has forced them back to work when they are 'not in perfect conditions'.

The checks were carried out in response to the mass exodus provoked suspicions that the air-traffic controllers had staged a clandestine strike.

Spain's ministry of work says the incidents of sick-leave seen among airport workers over the last few weeks exceeded those seen during times of influenza outbreaks and seasonal allergies.

However, many of the air-traffic controllers who have been told to go back to work are being picked up from their homes by cars laid on by AENA, which they say implies that their employers recognise they are not well enough to be on duty.