URGENT – Spanish airspace closed as controllers walk out

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Emergency telephone number : +34 902 404 704
AENA website in English : www.aena.es

The totality of the Spanish airspace including the Canary Islands (but excepting Andalucia) has closed down due to the air traffic controllers, who announced the possibility of strike next week, leaving their desks in a massive walk out earlier today.
This page will be constantly updated…

Update 04/12/2010 – 17:05
Spanish airspace reopens
As airspace reopens, AENA requests that all passengers consult with their airline BEFORE traveling to the airport.

Update 04/12/2010 – 17:00
AENA to reopen all air traffic in Spain at 18:00 today (Saturday) (Canarian Time)

Update 04/12/2010 – 13:15
AENA lose support from union.
AENAs union have reported that they do not back the controllers actions although they still disagree with the new work conditions being enforced on their members.

Update 04/12/2010 – 13:55
The 8 Canary Islands airports had 1.085 flights programmed for today (Saturday). Over 600 have already been cancelled.

Update 04/12/2010 – 13:00
Over 600.000 people now affected by airspace closure.
AENA controllers told to return to work immediately or face jail.

Update 04/12/2010 – 12:05
Eurocontrol postpone all flights into and out of Spain until at least 19:00 today.

Update 04/12/2010 – 12:00
Air traffic controllers in Canaries leave work again due to ‘ongoing pressure’.

Update 04/12/2010 – 11:50
Spain declares ‘state of alarm’ due to airspace close. AENA air traffic controllers may now face jail.

Update 04/12/2010 – 08:49
Spain is considering declaring a ‘National state of alarm’ due to the closure of its airspace. It will be the first time this has happened under the democracy. It this state of alarm is declared, the air traffic controllers could face prison terms.

Update 04/12/2010 – 08:20
The airports in Canaries and Madrid ‘may’ now open today (Saturday) at 12:00 instead of the previously indicated 08:00 although this has not yet been confirmed by AENA.

Update 04/12/2010 – 06:00
The government has confirmed that the Military will take responsibility of Spains airspace with immediate effect. Passengers are advised NOT to travel to any airport without first contacting their airline.

Update 04/12/2010 – 03:00
Canaries controllers return to work.
It is reported that the AENA air traffic controllers in the Canary Islands have returned to their places of work and that flights ‘may’ resume later today (Saturday 4th December).

Update 04/12/2010 – 02:00
Canaries cancel 171 flights
The number of cancelled flights in the Canary Islands has now risen to 171.

Update 04/12/2010 – 01:00
The military take control of Spains airspace
After the chaos continued in Spain when the shift change of the air traffic controllers took place at 22:00 there was no change, the government ordered the military to take control of the air traffic towers at Spanish airports to try and regain normality.

Update 03/12/2010 – 22:37
Military air traffic controllers head to Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Canary Islands.
Military controllers are currently on their way to the above airports to supervise the air traffic control in these airports.

Update 03/12/2010 – 22:36
AENA controllers return to Barcelona (El Prat)
50% of the AENA air traffic controllers have returned to work at Barcelona airport after a shift change and flights are starting to leave.

Update 03/12/2010 – 22:35
Virtual air traffic control website highlights Spains problem
The Virtual website Radar Virtuel highlights the gravity of Spains air traffic control with no aircraft flying in, out or over Spains airspace. www.radarvirtuel.com (very slow)

Update 03/12/2010 – 22:30
AENA controllers return to work, but refuse to work
It is reported that AEAN controllers have returned to their place of work, but are refusing to work.

Update 03/12/2010 – 22:20
Gran Canaria airport to remain closed until Saturday
Gran Canaria airport is to remain closed until Saturday 4th December at 08:00 due to the lack of air traffic controllers.

Update 03/12/2010 – 22:15
Canarian government condemn AENA controllers
The Canarian government has announced that it is considering action against the AENA air traffic controllers after they walked out unannounced earlier this evening. The controllers are reported to earn up to €480.000 / year.

Update 03/12/2010 – 21:45
17.000 people stranded in the Canary Islands
It is reported that over 17.000 have been left stranded in the Canary Islands due to the current air traffic controllers unannounced walkout.

Update 03/12/2010 – 21:30
Military ‘ready’ to take control of the airports
The Military are now ready to take control of the air traffic control towers in Spain to try and end the chaos in Spains airspace, although they hoping the current AENA controllers will return to their places of work.

Update 03/12/2010 – 21:05
Flight cancellations
Binter Canarias have cancelled all its flights until further notice.
British Airways cancel 31 flights from Barajas airport.
Ryanair announce 74 flight cancellations.

Update 03/12/2010 – 20:45
Crisis meeting in Tenerife
A crisis meeting is currently being held in Tenerife between ‘Turismo de Tenerife’, Ashotel and AENA to discuss the closure of the airspace and its effect on tourism on the island. They are arranging accommodation and transport for the affected people.

Update 03/12/2010 – 20:30
AENA contacts European Airspace
AENA have had to contact the European Airspace control and let them decide what to do with flights that are currently airborne and heading towards Spanish airspace.
Update 03/12/2010 – 20:15
Flight cancellations hit Canaries
So far 27 flights have been cancelled in Lanzarote (11 arrivals, and 16 departures), Tenerife South has had 6 cancellations and Tenerife North, 2. Gran Canaria is expected to have to cancel 65 arrivals and 55 departures.

Update : 03/12/2010 – 20:10
Air passengers told to not travel to airports.
Air passengers told to not travel to airports. The airport authority, AENA, are informing passengers not to vtravel to the airports and await further information and to contact their flight companies.

Update : 03/12/2010 – 20:00
Urgent law passed to allow military personel to take control of the Spanish airports.
An urgent law has just been passed to allow the military to take control of the Spanish airports to allow them to take control of the National airspace.

Update : 03/12/2010 – 19:50
Over 250.000 people displaced so far
Over 250.000 so far have been displaced by the closure of the Spanish airspace, the figure is exected to rise to over 4.000.000

Update : 03/12/2010 – 19:48
Government considers involving the Military
The Government has considered involving the Military due to the closure of the airspace by the air controllers employed by AENA and replacing them with military controllers to reopen the airspace.

Update : 03/12/2010 – 19:30
National Police take over Tenerife North airport.
The National Police have taken over the Tenerife North (Los Rodeos) airport after over 1.400 found themselves trapped inside the airport hearing a looped message over the loudspeakers saying the the Canarian airspace was ‘closed’ due to the air controllers (AENA) ‘leavin’g their desks and walking out.