Spanish Airport Strikes: Travel Beware!
What’s the Deal?
Watch out, jet‑setters! A wave of strikes is hitting several Spanish airports right when the traffic is heaviest. The result? Flights might be delayed, some could get cancelled, and the entire travel calendar gets a bit of a shake.
In Short: How It Hits You
- Major hubs like Madrid Barajas and Barcelona–El Prat are on the front line.
- Peak times (morning rush, late‑night arrivals) are the prime targets.
- Expect delays of 30‑60 minutes on average; cancellations, though rare, could burst your cardio plan.
- Ground services (check‑in, baggage handling, security) might run on a “do‑it‑slow” schedule.
Got a Trip Planned? Here’s What to Do
- Check the Airline’s Website – most carriers publish real‑time updates for all affected flights.
- Call the Customer Service Hotline – you can snag a re‑booking or a refund if the delay hits your itinerary hard.
- If you’re arriving at a striped airport, grab a seat at the lounge (if you have access) or find a comfy spot in the terminal. Gone are the days of last‑minute “inflate-your-toes” naps on the dance floor.
- Download the Route & Schedule App for instant alerts – a little tech can save a lot of frustration.
Bottom Line
While the strikes are disruptive, they’re not outright devils. Airlines are scrambling to mitigate delay effects, and most flights will likely go through with minor timing shifts. Spring boots, busy flyers alike: stay flexible, stay informed, and keep your sense of humor handy.
Ryanair’s Ground Crew Goes on Strike—Hold onto Your Gate Numbers!
What’s Happening?
The General Union of Workers (UGT) has called for a state‑wide strike at Azul Handling—the ground‑handling wing of the Ryanair family. Workers claim the situation is “continuous precariousness” and constant violations of labour rights. Sound familiar? They’re gearing up to hit every Spanish airport where they operate.
Where the Action Is (and Why You Might Notice it)
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Seville
- Malaga
- Alicante
- Ibiza
- Palma de Mallorca
- Girona
- Tenerife South
- Lanzarote
- Santiago de Compostela
Strike Schedule
The first wave kicks off on 15 / 16 / 17 August with three hourly blocks:
- 05:00 – 09:00
- 12:00 – 15:00
- 21:00 – 23:59
After that, the stoppage will march on every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 31 December 2025. Sounds like a weekend binge—except for the big blue planes.
What You Can Do (If You’re Not Vacationing)
- Check your flight status on Ryanair’s website or customer service.
- Be ready for potential turbulence in your travel plans.
- Consider an alternate route or an airport that’s not under the strike.
Bottom Line
If you’re flying out of any of these Spanish airports after mid‑August, keep a closer eye on your booking. Whether you’re heading to a sunny beach or a chilled‑out European city, the winter season has suddenly turned into a late‑August rebellion—and the planes might just get a bit dramatic along the way.
UGT calls for better conditions for its workers
A Labor vs The Skies: Azul Handling’s Big Fumble!
What’s the Tension All About?
FeSMC‑UGT’s air sector has asked the Interconfederal Service of Mediation and Arbitration (SIMA) to step in before the crew actually takes to the skies (or the stairs, in the case of strike). Why? Because the airline’s policy is looking more like a high‑altitude disaster than a smooth flight.
Key Points of the Protest
- No stable work‑hour regimen for the permanent part‑time crew.
- Forced overtime that feels less like “extra duty” and more like a forced treadmill.
- Disciplinary measures that would make even the most seasoned pilot feel like they’re flying in a storm.
- Repeated breaches of the Sectoral Agreement’s Joint Committee on economic guarantees and pay bonuses.
- Unlawful limits on returning to work after medical leave.
- Blocking family‑friendly hours by refusing any flexible scheduling.
Who’s Losing The Grip?
“Azul Handling keeps pushing a precarious game plan that flouts basic labor rights and ignores union demands,” says José Manuel Pérez Grande, the federal secretary of FeSMC‑UGT. “It’s like watching a plane that never quite reaches flight level—constant turbulence, half‑missed opportunities, and a lot of smacks on the seatbacks.”
The Union’s Call to Action
FeSMC‑UGT is demanding:
- Immediate withdrawal of sanctions slapped on the crew.
- Full compliance with the agreement’s rulings.
- Genuine negotiations that actually improve conditions for over 3,000 workers across the country.
Bottom Line
So, while the planes might be ready to take off, the workers are ready to sit on the ground—at least until the airline re‑configures its cockpit of policy and keeps the crew from feeling like they’re in a perpetual take‑off/landing loop.