HOLIDAYMAKERS could face travel chaos today as Spanish unions begin their general strike across the country.

More than half the flights from Bournemouth Airport today will be affected, with some passengers returning from destinations across mainland Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands with a lighter load than they departed with.

Ryanair passengers have been told they can only carry hand luggage leaving many cramming the contents of their suitcases into their carry-on bags with others forced to leave possessions behind.

Gill Morris, whose daughter Debi, her partner Jason Billiard, and 21-month-old daughter Macie-Jae are currently on holiday in Lanzarote said: “They’ve been told they can get a flight with their luggage on Friday but it will take them to Birmingham.

“Otherwise they can travel today but have to leave their cases and possibly the push-chair behind as they can only take hand-luggage.

“I think it’s disgusting. They have to come back as planned. They can’t afford to stay out there another two days but it means potentially leaving a lot of stuff behind.”

Ryanair, which has flights departing and arriving tomorrow from Palma, Malaga, Girona, Lanzarote, Murcia and Alicante and Thomson which was due to fly to Ibiza this morning, still plan to operate their schedule as planned.

A spokesman for Ryanair said: “Ryanair advised passengers by email on Friday of the flight disruption caused by striking Spanish ATC workers and provided them with the opportunity to switch to flights either before or after the strike (subject to availability).

“As Ryanair is unable to guarantee that ground handling services will be available on Wednesday it is asking passengers to travel with just carry-on luggage, thereby avoiding the need to cancel all flights.

“This will minimize the effect of the strike on passengers and allow more availability to be freed up for those who are unable to travel without checked-in luggage.

“Ryanair apologises to passengers for any disruption caused by the unfair actions of overpaid and underworked air traffic controllers.”

Thomson said they would not cancel flights but passengers should be prepared for delays.

Sally Windsor, marketing manager at Bournemouth Airport said: “We would advise passengers to check with their airlines about arrangements and leave plenty of time to travel and get through security.”