SPANISH HOLIDAYS
UPDATE: 27.03.12
Note that there will be a general strike in Spain on the 29th March 2012 and that this will, inevitably, cause travel disruption within Spain. For more information, see: General Strike in Spain 29th March 2012
STOP PRESS 30.01.12
Sadly, Spanair has collapsed, having lost some 115 million Euros last year. The collapse was unexpected, occurred over the weekend and left over 20,000 passengers stranded. It will alos mean the loss of some 4,000 jobs both from Spanair and associated businesses.
IATA will, hopefully, reimburse any fares.
STOP PRESS 19.01.12
Yesterday further problems with Iberia flights were announced which will continue the aggravation caused by the recent Iberia pilot’s strike. Now it is the ground staff of Iberia who have voted for an indefinite period of industrial action. From February 3rd stoppages are likely every Monday and Friday – which is convenient for the staff and will enable them to have long weekends off! However, this is bad news for the public and will be exacerbated by the Iberia pilots who have called for stoppages on January 25th, 27th and the 30th.
To keep up with this story go to Culture Spain where we will be monitoring the news as it develops…
Nick Snelling – Culture Spain
If you are starting to book your summer holidays in Spain then one of the matters that is probably concerning you now is the likelihood of further disruptions in flights to Spain.
After all, just before Xmas we had the air traffic controller’s strike in Spain and before that there was a general strike in Spain and, prior to that, a strike of Spanish state employees. Currently there is an outstanding dispute between the Spanish government and the Spanish pilot’s union (SEPLA), who were going to go on strike before Xmas before it was put on hold.
So, what will happen in 2011?
Well, of course, it would be a brave person indeed, who asserted that booking holidays in Spain can be done with no regard to potential industrial action. The past year has seen considerable unrest within Spain and that is likely to increase this year.
Why?
Because, economically, I fear that Spain is in ‘meltdown’ and potentially could go the same way as Ireland. As it is, the unemployment rate is in excess of 20% – and this is before the Spanish government’s austerity measures ‘cut in’ properly. Meanwhile, the Spanish property crash has yet to fully ‘play out’ with the Spanish banking system a good deal less secure than is publically admitted. So, hard times are ahead for Spain and it only remains to be seen how radical and extreme any industrial unrest becomes.
Of course, the Spanish government’s brutal (but necessary) action against the Spanish air traffic controllers ‘wild cat’ action before Xmas (a national State of Alert was declared!) may have set a precedent – when it comes to what the Spanish government will do to protect Spain’s tourist industry.
Needless to say, Spain’s tourist industry is incredibly important to the country’s economy. It has been since the 1970’s but now is just about the only major industry that Spain has that is viable. Indeed, some 50 million holidaymakers a year come to Spain (which is only some 15 million people less than the total population of the UK!). The impact upon Spain’s economy of 50 million foreigners spending their money within Spain can only be described as mind boggling.
So, under no account can the Spanish government afford to let anything endanger its tourist industry – particularly when the country is in an undeniable state of crisis. As such, I have a feeling that any unrest on the part of Spanish pilot’s (let alone Spanish air taffic controllers) will be met with an iron fist.
Certainly, the pre-Xmas action of the Spanish air taffic controllers has not been left to quietly die away. Far from it. As you can see from this article, the Spanish air taffic controllers are being prosecuted and face up to eight years in jail if convicted of sedition!
What does this mean for you – as you book your Spanish holidays?
Well, I think that Spain will have industrial unrest this year however, frankly, as a holidaymaker, this will barely impact upon you. As to flights to Spain, I suspect that any action that endangers the Spanish holiday industry will be firmly dealt with by the Spanish government. That does not mean that flights to Spain will not be troubled by other matters, such as any action taken by the French – but that the Spanish side of things should be kept under control!
So, if you are booking your Spanish holidays now – then go for it! I think you should be safe and that your flights to Spain (and back again!) should be alright.
However – only time, of course, will tell..
RELEVANT INFO: Controllers to be tried for sedition in Madrid court and Spanish economy meltdown or all okay and Pilot’s strike Spain and air traffic controller’s strike in Spain and Xmas pilot’s strike in Spain