Air traffic controllers have gone on strike around Europe in protest at cost cuts and planned reforms.<br /><br />Unions from 12 EU countries took part in the action.<br /><br />They are angry at an EU proposal designed at reforming the way Europe’s airspace is governed.<br /><br />Officials said it would increase competition and efficiency.<br /><br />Terence Galea, president of Malta’s Air Traffic Controllers’ Association, rejected that idea: “They will force the companies providing that service to cost reduction. And that would mean also a risk to the provision of safe air traffic service. So in the end it will be a reduction in the safety in the skies.”<br /><br />Europe’s skies see some nine million flights each year across more than 400 airports<br /><br />Volker Dick, president of ATCEUC, which represent air traffic controllers across Europe, said: “We will lose around 10,000 working places. And this is for us, as a union, is certainly not acceptable. And what reason do we have to have to go on the streets if not this? “<br /><br />Cancellations and delays are expected on Thursday.<br /><br />Airlines advised passengers to check the status of their flights before traveling to the airport.
