Spain declares state of alert over airstrike

The ‘state of alert’ clause included in Spain's 1978 post Franco- era constitution, had never been invoked before Saturday, when the government brought it into force after a second day of wildcat strikes by air traffic controllers. The measure will allow the government to charge strikers with a crime under the military penal code.

Announcing the state of alert, Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said the air traffic controllers were trying to protect "unacceptable privileges". The controllers' launched their action Friday evening when the Cabinet approved a decree under which controllers who miss work shifts because of illness must make up those lost hours and can be subjected to medical checkups immediately if they call in sick.

The strike has largely closed the country's air space and stranded hundreds of thousands of travellers. Most Spanish airports were closed and irate travellers forced to sleep overnight at airports on what was supposed to be the start of a long holiday weekend.

The flagship carrier Iberia cancelled all its flights in Spain until early Sunday morning. Irish airline Ryanair has also cancelled all flights to and from Spain.