Double strike threat

Spain's tourist industry could face chaos later this month due to two potential strikes which could ground aircraft in both the UK and Spain during the final weeks of the peak period.

Representatives of Spain's air traffic controllers are meeting this week to decide if they should strike after voting in favour of taking action last week.

Meanwhile workers at BAA, which owns Heathrow, Stansted, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, will finish voting on their own potential strike action on Thursday which could force the closure of the airports.

If the 6,185 airport staff vote in favour of strike action, the earliest they could walk out would be August 19 as the union Unite is obliged to give BAA at least seven days notice. Unite is also due to meet British Airways again this week for talks on the cabin crew dispute after BA’s last proposed deal was rejected last month.

Spanish air traffic controllers are expected to decide on whether to strike on Thursday. They have to give 10 days notice meaning that any walkout could not take place until August 22.