THOUSANDS of North-East holidaymakers are being caught up in a strike by coach drivers in the Balearic Islands.

Nationally, some 300,000 tourists were expected to be hit by travel chaos this weekend as the strike triggered queues of up to three hours for taxis from airports in the sunshine isles.

Officials at Palma airport in Majorca said flights were not yet affected by the strike, but warned that they could not rule out closing the airport if the action continued over the weekend.

Newcastle Airport today had three flights to Ibiza, two to Mahon and two to Palma scheduled, with capacities of around 200 each.

Tomorrow, another 12 flights are scheduled and Sunday is expected to see another two flights.

Flights continue to leave for the Balearics and come back, however, delays of between two and three hours were occurring and it is unclear how long the problems will last.

At Teesside Airport, a dozen flights were heading out today and during the weekend to Ibiza, Majorca and Minorca and staff were working with tour operators to minimise the impact on passengers.

Passengers were being urged to check in at the airport at the time shown on travel documents.

A Newcastle Airport spokeswoman said: "The flights from Newcastle are operating, but with some minor delays. Delays are generally between two and three hours and we don't know at this stage how long the industrial action will go on for, but we are monitoring the situation."

British journalist Humphrey Carter, of the Majorca Daily Bulletin, said the situation at the airport was becoming a "nightmare" with some tourists trapped for up to three hours.

The queue for taxis stretched about half-a-mile at the airport, and holidaymakers were being brought back hours before their return flights because of the shortage of cabs.

"This could have serious long-term implications for the tourist industry here," he said.

The industrial action, which began at midnight last night, was triggered by a dispute over pay and was expected to finish on Sunday.

Tour operators were advising holidaymakers pack enough clothing, drinks and any vital medication they would need to sit out a possible delay.

A spokeswoman for tour operator Thomson, which has some 20,000 holidaymakers heading to the island this weekend, said travellers were being looked after.

"Our resort staff were prepared for the worst-case scenario but so far it has gone relatively smoothly," she said.

"We have extra staff in the resorts and in the UK to look after guests and our priority is to keep customers up to date and as comfortable as possible."

A spokesman for Thomas Cook said the company was updating customers as the strike continued, but warned that delays were possible at the resort.

Updated:16.05 Friday, June 29