Air traffic controllers' strike to disrupt European travel

Travellers are bracing themselves for chaos across Europe today when industrial action by air traffic controllers is expected to cripple short-haul flights across much of the Continent.

The action in France, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Hungary is likely to be only the start of a wave of disruption in protest against plans to streamline airspace across the EU. Airlines said yesterday that long-distance routes should be less affected than shorter flights, although carriers are likely to have to divert their routes.

The strike coincides with discussions over the so-called single sky initiative, which would replace national air zones with Europe-wide controls, and reduce the amount of airspace closed off for military use only.

The European Commission says the proposal would save airlines money and speed journeys for travellers. However, unions, particularly in France, see it as the first step towards privatisation.

Patrick Malandin, national secretary of France's USAC-CGT union, said: "If it emerges the EU is determined to steamroller this reform through, we are ready for further action, and why not this summer?"

Loyola de Palacio, the European commissioner for transport, said the strike could hit an industry still in the doldrums because of 11 September. She said: "European airlines still have real difficulties. This is the worst possible time to be organising a strike." The row has all the hallmarks of a long dispute because proposals are likely to be discussed for many months before final agreement is reached among EU ministers and in the European Parliament. Moreover, there is little prospect of concessions because the two sides interpret the single sky plan so differently. The Commission rejects as groundless the main argument of the unions in France that the "single sky" proposal will lead to privatisation.

It argues that the plan would bring about more direct routes for airlines whose current flightpaths are determined by patterns agreed when travel across Europe was considerably limited.

A spokesman for the European Commission said: "We are open to discussion and we have already held talks on training and safety.

"But there is a problem with the substance. The question of public or private ownership is up to the member state – privatisation is not something we want to to."