Initial talks aimed at preventing a series of Spanish airport strikes from Easter have broken down without agreement.
The country’s airports authority AENA and unions have failed to reach an agreement to stop the planned 22 days of industrial action.
The strikes were called to protest against the privatisation of Spanish airports. Unions have demanded written guarantees that jobs and conditions will be protected after the sale of the airports, which include those in Barcelona and Madrid.
Further negotiations were due to take place last night (Thursday). The 22 days of strike action are planned for: April 20, 21, 24, 25 and 30; May 2, 14, 15, 19 and 20; June 13, 23 and 30; July 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 and 31; and August 1, 15, 31.
The threat of strikes this Easter and summer has prompted demands for the European Commission to step in and prevent them from happening.
Travel websites have already reported a downturn in searches for Spain since the possiblity of strikes was announced on Wednesday.