Spain to extend state of emergency

Spanish Government discussed plans to extend the state of emergency in a meeting held 14-Dec-2010 to prevent disruption during the Christmas holiday period (aviationtoday/Reuters, 14-Dec-2010). A state of emergency was declared on 04-Dec-2010 placing controllers under military law to remain in force until 18-Dec-2010. It must win parliamentary approval if it wants to continue to use them beyond that date. Unions have given no indication they are planning action over the Christmas and New Year holiday. A wildcat strike began on 03-Dec-2010 three hours after the government passed measures regulating controllers' working hours and pledging to sell part of state-owned airport authority AENA for up to EUR9 billion.