MADRID: Spain's air traffic controllers have begun four days of partial strikes that could cause major traffic disruptions as the summer vacation season gets underway.
The stoppages are to take place between 10 a.m. and noon and between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, and again on June 10, 12 and 14.
The USCA controllers' union called the strikes to protest penalties imposed on members after a 24-hour strike in 2010 that stranded 600,000 passengers ahead of a national holiday.
A spokesman for Spain's air navigation company, Enaire, said they had no immediate details on the number of flights affected in the first hour Monday. He said up to 1,300 flights could be affected during the strike periods.
He spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with company policy.