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In March, the union representing Spanish air traffic controllers signed a new contract that slashed overtime pay and streamlined staffing. Despite this contract, Spanish air traffic controllers still make roughly $300,000 yearly—ten times the country’s average salary, and nearly three times as much as controllers in the United States.
Following the global recession in 2008, Spanish air traffic controllers were earning, on average, a half a million dollars apiece. In 2009, some controllers earned more than $1 million, according to Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea, the state aviation agency.
Spain’s fight with its air traffic controllers is one of many hurdles the European Union currently faces in removing national boundaries in its skies. The EU is making another big push for “the Single European Sky,” which means forcing 39 national aviation agencies to cooperate in the EU’s continuing quest to unify the continent. In contrast, the U.S. has only one agency.
Controllers argue the Single Sky plan endangers fliers because they will be forced to handle more flights under tighter budget constraints, while EU officials say the plan adds safety, efficiency, and regulations which are needed to improve a disorganized air travel system in Europe.
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