Thousands hit by flight delays

Caleb Rankin waits with his family at Glasgow Airport

Thousands of tourists have been hit by delays as a Spanish coach drivers' strike caused disruption on one of the busiest days of the year for Scotland's airports.

One group of about 200 holidaymakers were facing having to make alternative plans after their flight was delayed for more 36 hours.

Thousands of other people experienced hold-ups as they waited to board flights for Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza.

The industrial action in Spain co-incided with the first weekend of the Scottish school holidays.

This is one of the busiest days of the year for Scottish Airports and our priority has been to ensure as little inconvenience to passengers as possible

Spokesman Sandy Ferrar

The strike left passengers stranded at airports on the Balearic islands, unable to get transport to and from their hotels

Up to 800 holidaymakers spent the night in hotels after their flights from Glasgow were cancelled on Friday.

One of the flights eventually left Glasgow Airport on Saturday morning.

But about 200 people were left on Scottish soil when their flight to Menorca - which should have left at 0550 BST on Friday - was unable to go ahead because of a severe backlog on the island.

There were also reports that other passengers heading to the Balearic isle would face similar problems after airport authorities at Mahon limited incoming flights to just three an hour.

Holiday operator Airtours said it would offer the passengers the option of sitting out the delays or claiming a full refund.

Travellers are being advised to turn up as normal

A spokeswoman said passengers taking a refund would be given every help in finding new destinations at short notice.

"It is one of those situations which is totally out of our control, but obviously the welfare of our customers has to be of paramount importance," she said.

"Our priority now is to get our customers a holiday with as little inconvenience as possible."

More than 4,000 people were also due to set off on their holidays to Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza on Saturday on 20 flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Five of the nine flights from Glasgow to Majorca suffered delays of up to five hours, while travellers on six flights due out of Edinburgh were experiencing delays of around three hours.

Check-in as normal

Delays were also expected on Sunday, although there were due to be fewer flights.

Scottish Airports said the delays were only affecting those flights heading to Balearic island destinations.

Spokesman Sandy Ferrar said travel operators were advising people to turn up and check-in as normal but be prepared for a lengthy wait.

"The delays have been pretty much as forecast at Glasgow and Edinburgh," he said.

"The good news is that flights have been leaving, even though there has been some delays.

"This is one of the busiest days of the year for Scottish Airports and our priority has been to ensure as little inconvenience to passengers as possible."

I would say to these guys, I hope they get a fair settlement

Holidaymaker Colin Dowd

Understanding passengers at Glasgow Airport were putting on a brave face as they sat through the delays.

Colin Dowd, 49, from East Kilbride acknowledged that the delays were down to the Spanish bus drivers.

But he added: "I cannot fault any man for withdrawing his rights to work to get a better wage, if their case is genuine.

"I would say to these guys, I hope they get a fair settlement."

Schoolteacher Gerry Coughlin, 47, from Clarkston, Glasgow, admitted the delay was "frustrating" for his family, but said: "You've just got to grin and bear it."