Holidaymakers facing flight chaos

The island of Majorca has been hit by travel delays

A bus strike in Spain has trapped thousands of British holidaymakers in airports.

Up to 300,000 tourists are expected to be hit by the travel chaos this weekend.

This is a very damaging situation for the image of Majorca and we are urging them to do anything possible to solve the situation

Keith Betton, Abta

Officials at Palma airport in Majorca said flights have not been cancelled, but warned they could not rule out closing the airport if the action continued.

British journalist Humphrey Carter, of the Majorca Daily Bulletin, said the situation at the airport was a "nightmare".

Picket lines

The strike by coach drivers led to queues of up to three hours for taxis on Friday from airports on Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza.

Mr Carter said holidaymakers were being brought back hours before their return flights because of the shortage of cabs.

UK airport delays

Manchester and Leeds - delays of up to four hours to Balearics

Heathrow - no delays expected

Gatwick and Stansted - no delays, but passengers advised to check in case of change

Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen - delays of one to two hours

East Midlands - 45-minute delays on Majorca flights

Bristol - 20 to 30-minute delays on Majorca flights

Luton - No delays at present

He said: "This could have serious long-term implications for the tourist industry here.

"Many people have told me they will not come back to the island because of the way this has been handled. Some said they would have got better treatment in prison."

The coach drivers are striking over a 3% pay claim and have organised picket lines at the airport.

The industrial action began at midnight on Thursday and is expected to finish on Sunday.

Island popularity

Tour operators are advising holidaymakers to check in for flights as normal but to pack enough supplies to enable them to sit out any delays.

A spokeswoman for tour operator Thomson, which has 20,000 holidaymakers heading to the island this weekend, said: "Our resort staff were prepared for the worst-case scenario but so far it has gone relatively smoothly."

"We have extra staff in the resorts and in the UK to look after guests and our priority is to keep customers up to date and as comfortable as possible."

Air passengers are "trapped" in airports

The Association of British Travel Agents said the chaos could dent the popularity of the islands with British tourists.

Keith Betton, head of corporate affairs, said: "This is a very damaging situation for the image of Majorca and we are urging them to do anything possible to solve the situation.

"Tour operators are doing their best to get people to their destinations, but obviously it is difficult."