Spanish Air Controllers Begin Returning To Work

Spanish airport authorities say air controllers are beginning to return to their posts after the government threatened them with prosecution if they didn't immediately end their wildcat strike.

Transport Minister Jose Blanco said Spanish air traffic will be back to normal in 24-48 hours.

Earlier on December 4 the government declared a national "state of alarm," meaning air controllers who did not report for duty could risk being charged with disobedience punishable by prison sentences.

The country was in its second day of an air traffic controllers' strike for higher pay and other employment concessions that has stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers.

compiled from agency reports