SUNSEEKING Brits face being stuck in traffic jams in the skies over Germany this summer, causing delays on Spain flights, experts have warned.

The snarl-up is predicted as the French prepare to launch a new air traffic control system at the beginning of next month.

Strict safety protocols mean that whilst the setup is being bedded in, planes will be diverted elsewhere to reduce pressures. 

Coupled with restrictions from the Ukraine crisis, experts say the move will see unprecedented numbers of planes flying over Germany.

This will have a knock on effect on flights from the UK to Spain, Portugal and Italy, causing delays.

Dirk Mahns, of DFS – the German air navigation service provider – said flight delays, changes to flight times and even diversions were all likely to be unavoidable.

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Mr Mahns said:  "Our aim is to keep these delays to a minimum."

"We are in close contact with our European partners in this endeavour. 

"No country can deal with the current traffic situation on its own; it can only be done together.”

The introduction of the new air traffic control system in Reims, northern France, will see air traffic being diverted to Germany. 

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Diversions will be in place for months with a "large proportion of the traffic will be shifted to German airspace".

Pressure is already on the busy skies following tit-for-tat bans on Russian and western airlines entering each others’ airspace.

Aviation consultant John Strickland, director of JLS Consulting, said: "There could be annoying delays, half an hour or so, but delays seem to be a likely impact of traffic being routed out of French airspace into German or Polish airspace.

"This will affect flights out of the UK going down to places like Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, some parts of Italy, and so on. This is where there could be delays caused.

"But there is no safety risk."

There was flight chaos at Heathrow yesterday, as thousands of passengers got stuck in "quarter of a mile" long queues.

Arrivals shared pictures of the snaking queues of frustrated travellers who had been waiting over an hour to get through immigration at Terminal 5.

And there's more bad news for Brits planning a Spain holiday this summer as hotels warn they may have to cancel some guests due to strikes.

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There are currently strikes taking place in Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, as lorry drivers protest against high fuel prices and poor working conditions, which has caused a shortage of building materials supplies, so some Spanish hotels are unable to progress with refurbishment plans.

If the strikes continue, hotels may be forced to suspend building work, which could mean they won't be able to open as scheduled and will have to cancel pre-booked holidays.

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