BBC Saturday, 30 June, 2001, 12:39 GMT 13:39 UK

Flight chaos hits thousands

Thousands of tourists are facing long delays at airports at home and abroad because of a strike by Spanish coach drivers.

Passengers heading for the islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca are continuing to face disruption at a number of UK airports including Gatwick and Manchester.

British holidaymakers on their way home have spent the night in airports on the Balearic islands, after talks with union leaders in Madrid failed to bring an end to the industrial action over pay.

Up to 300,000 tourists, mostly from Britain, Germany and Scandinavia, are expected to be hit by the chaos this weekend, although travellers are being advised to check in as normal.

The strike coincides with the start of the peak summer holiday period, as thousands of British families prepare to head off for the sun.

Long queues

Riot police were on duty at Palma airport on Saturday, where striking coach drivers had scattered pins on the road in an attempt to burst taxis' tyres.

Arriving tourists were left queuing for three hours for transport to their hotels and apartments.

The knock-on effect from the problems has meant that departures from Gatwick airport were being delayed for as long as 13 hours, while those from Manchester were leaving some seven hours late.

Gatwick Airport Terminal Manager Steven Gargaro told BBC News Online that there were still delays of up to five hours on about 10 departures.

"We are advising people to check with their operator or airline for up-to-the-minute information.

"We are asking them to check in on time," he said.

One flight that had been due to fly out Friday night left Saturday morning 13 hours late.

Bill Crawshaw, duty terminal manager at Manchester Airport, said 20,000 people would fly to the Balearics this weekend.

"Because of the coach strike it's not been possible to get passengers to the airport quickly enough, that's how it started. Delays have crept up and crept up."

Passengers were being advised to carry essential items such as medicines and baby food in their hand luggage.

Those holidaymakers hoping to return to the UK on Saturday stayed overnight at airports to be sure of a flight.

The industrial action over pay, which began at midnight on Thursday is expected to finish on Sunday.

Cab delays

More than 135,000 are due to arrive at Palma airport in Majorca on Saturday.

Officials at the airport warned they could not rule out closing the airport if the action continues.

British journalist Humphrey Carter, of the Majorca Daily Bulletin, said the situation had been a "nightmare" but that problems had eased on Friday, with the number of people waiting for taxis halved.

Mr Carter warned that tourists may be put off from returning to the islands.

"Some said they would have got better treatment in prison," he said.

'Worst-case scenario'

A spokeswoman for tour operator Thomson, which has 20,000 holidaymakers heading to the island this weekend, said: "Our resort staff were prepared for the worst-case scenario but so far it has gone relatively smoothly."

Keith Betton, head of corporate affairs for the Association of British Travel Agents, said: "This is a very damaging situation for the image of Majorca and we are urging them to do anything possible to solve the situation."

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001