Army to control Spanish air traffic

Transport Minister José Blanco’s decision to send in military air traffic controllers to replace their civilian counterparts engaged in “clandestine strike action” could "backfire on a government" that is reluctant to legislate on the right to strike, reports Madrid daily ABC. Over the past few weeks, large numbers of air traffic controllers have gone on mass-sick leave for stress or depression, causing chaotic delays to flights at the peak of the tourist season. The conservative daily believes that "the excessive number of controllers calling in sick is certainly suspect," but the plan to impose “such enormous responsibility” on military personnel will result in "serious legal and technical problems.”