Strikes which threatened to disrupt the holiday plans of thousands of people have been called off by Spanish airport workers. The walkouts were due to take place on 18 and 26 August. The industrial action could have seen around 60,000 ground staff refuse to turn up for work.

The cause of the proposed strike was anger over an airline employee being made redundant and then not being found an alternative role within the company. The strike action threatened to disrupt airport services across the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.

Any disruption to tourism within Spain is extremely unwelcome as the country struggles with acute financial problems. The annual threat of flight disruption has meant that many customers who regularly visited Spain are looking for alternative summer holiday destinations. Since 2006, the number of Brits travelling to Spain has been declining.

Last year the figure fell by 2.2 million to 11.5 million. The 18 August ground staff strike would have coincided with a visit by Pope Benedict XVI who will be landing in Madrid to take part in Spain’s celebrations for World Youth Day. August is the busiest month in the Spanish calendar for air travel as families’ jet off on their summer holidays.

According to Skyscanner, a flight comparison website, Spain remains among the top ten most inquired about destinations. However, a spokesman for the site said that it was apparent that customers were becoming more wary about booking a flight to the Iberian Peninsula because of fears that there will be disruption.