Following widespread disruptions over the weekend, Spanish air traffic controllers have returned to work.

The news follows a strike by air traffic personnel across Spain over contract disputes. About 2,300 workers had called in sick resulting in the closing of Spanish airspace. Spaniards travelling over the holiday weekend were forced to change or cancel plans whilst numerous international holidaymakers were stranded at Spanish airports, including several thousand Britons.

Air traffic controllers returned to work after Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba took a hard stand with decisive action by threatening legal action against striking workers. The move was praised by many Spaniards angry that President Jose Luis Zapatero hadn’t moved to resolve the situation.

Despite air transport being back on track across the country, economical damage has already been estimated to exceed £300 million. In all, about 650,000 air travellers were affected by the strike over the yearlong dispute after the Spanish Government moved toward privatising Aena, which would greatly affect air traffic controllers’ salaries.

Mr Rubalcaba said to reporters that many Spanish families had saved the entire year to be able to travel over the holiday weekend. He added that the strikes had been damaging not only to those people but also to the economy, local firms and the international image of Spain.