Thousands of Irish holidaymakers in Spain can expect delays this weekend due to a strike. Holidaymakers travelling to and from the Spanish islands of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca will be delayed because of the strike, which is being staged by local coach drivers. Tour operators say that outbound flights from Dublin Airport to the Spanish islands are running between two and two and a half hours behind schedule.
The strike began at midnight on Thursday and is expected to last until midnight on Sunday. It comes at the very peak of the holiday season and it has thrown the airports at Palma, Mahon and Ibiza into chaos. With no coach drivers to ferry passengers to and from their resorts travellers have been left facing long taxi delays with consequent knock-on delays caused to incoming and outgoing flights.
Over 100,000 tourists are due to arrive in Majorca today alone and officials in Palma have not ruled out the possibility that they may have to close the airport. The strike began after Spanish union officials failed to resolve a row over pay.
Three flights leaving Dublin yesterday suffered delays. The destinations affected are Ibiza, Mahon and Palma. Aer Rianta has advised passengers who are worried that they may be affected by this strike to contact their tour operator.
