Spain's military takes over air traffic control

Spain's military has taken over the country's air traffic control after civilian staff called in sick en masse, report BBC News.

The move, ordered by the government, comes after several airports across Spain were shut after traffic controllers' unauthorised walkout.

Most of Spain's airspace remains closed and tens of thousands of travellers have been stranded.

The controllers are involved in a dispute with Spanish airport authority Aena over hours and conditions.

National carrier Iberia has cancelled all flights from Spanish airports until 1000 GMT on Saturday.

Late on Friday evening, Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said the military had taken full control of all air traffic over Spain after workers refused to call off the unsanctioned strike.

Mr Rubalcaba later warned that if the action continued on Saturday, the government would declare a state of emergency, forcing air traffic controllers to return to work or face criminal prosecution.

"If a controller does not show up to his work place he will be placed immediately in custody accused of a crime which could mean serious prison sentences," he said.

Aena estimates that the strike action could affect the travel plans of up to 250,000 people.