Airport workers in Spain have cancelled 22 days of strikes that were threatening to cause major disruption for travellers over the Easter and summer holidays.

The strike was called off after an agreement was reached between the airport authorities, AENA and trade unions.

Airport workers had been protesting the planned sale by the Spanish government of a large stake in AENA. Although the Government claimed it was trying to stave off the country’s financial shortfall, workers feared the part privatisation would lead to job losses and poor conditions.

Around 12,500 workers were planning walkouts that would have led to the cancellation of hundreds of inbound and outbound Spanish flights.

On signing the agreement, Juan Motto, President AENA said: “the horizon of social peace and collaboration between the union company and representatives will be a key factor in the process of transformation of Aena and a fundamental element so that we successfully meet the challenges ahead of us”.

The news has come at an important time for the Spanish tourism industry which has seen a recent rise in visitors, despite the recent recession and other global challenges that have impacted travel.

Isaías Táboas, Spanish Secretary of State for Transport, noted: “There will be 180 million airline seats in supply over coming months, a 7.4 percent increase on the previous summer. We are therefore preparing to reach record levels of travellers”.