Sachin Walls
Spanish airports have been affected by strikes on numerous occasions, with baggage handlers, pilots, flight attendants, and ground crew all engaging in industrial action. In April 2025, a planned strike by hotel industry workers in the Canary Islands caused travel disruption, with around 80,000 workers participating. In addition, Spanish unions have planned strikes during holiday periods, such as the walkout by ground service workers at Iberia from December 29, 2023, to January 1, 2024, and from January 4 to January 7. Airports in popular Spanish destinations like Alicante, Malaga, Mallorca, Barcelona, and Madrid have also experienced strikes, impacting thousands of flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, 5 January 2024 |
| Airports | All airports, including Madrid |
| Airlines | IAG-owned Iberia |
| Staff | Ground staff |
| Duration | Four days |
| Reason | Contract dispute with Aena |
| Impact | Minimal impact on services, hundreds of flights cancelled |
| Resolution | Strike action called "irresponsible", Iberia challenging contracts in court |
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What You'll Learn
Strikes by ground staff at IAG-owned Iberia airlines
On Friday, January 5, 2024, ground staff at IAG-owned Iberia airlines began a four-day strike at Spanish airports. The strike was called by Spain's two main unions, UGT and CCOO, and was expected to disrupt travel over the country's traditional Epiphany holiday.
The unions are protesting against contracts signed with new providers at Spanish airports. Spanish commercial airports are operated by state-controlled Aena, which in September 2023 hired new contractors for services previously provided by Iberia. This angered unions, despite assurances from the new suppliers that they would retain workers and provide optimal working conditions.
Iberia has called the strike action irresponsible and is challenging the new contracts in the Spanish courts. The company said that as of 7 a.m. local time on Friday, operations were beginning normally and only 17% of those involved were taking part in the strike. Iberia also noted that, due to the advance notice of the strike, "more than 90% of customers have already obtained a solution to the cancellation of their flight."
The strike has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights by Iberia, Iberia Express, Air Nostrum, and other IAG partner airlines. However, Iberia has reported minimum impact on its services. A press official from Iberia stated that Madrid airport would not be affected, but airports in Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife were likely to be impacted.
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Poor working conditions for handling staff
In January 2024, ground staff at IAG-owned Iberia went on strike for four days at Spanish airports, causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights. However, the airline reported a minimal impact on its services. This strike was sparked by the hiring of new contractors by Aena, the operator of Spanish commercial airports, for services previously provided by Iberia staff. Despite assurances from the new suppliers about retaining workers and their working conditions, the move angered unions, with Iberia challenging the new contracts in court.
In October 2024, a major strike by handling staff across Spanish airports was averted following a last-minute agreement. The planned strike action was in response to repeated complaints about poor working conditions, including understaffing, unpaid overtime, and an unsatisfactory work environment. Unions argued that companies had failed to uphold their promises under the new Aena contracts approved in September 2023, negatively impacting handling workers. While the strike was called off, unions considered it a provisional step, aiming for further improvements in workers' rights and conditions.
Additionally, in December 2023, airline staff in Spain announced eight days of strikes over the Christmas period, which could have affected check-in and handling services at airlines manned by Iberia staff, including Vueling and Aer Lingus.
Beyond these specific incidents, the aviation industry in Europe has faced significant challenges, with staff at airports and airlines going on strike due to poor working conditions, staff shortages, long and stressful hours, and lower wages amid the cost-of-living crisis and pandemic-era pay cuts.
Air traffic controllers at 16 Spanish airports, including Valencia and Palma de Mallorca, also went on strike every Monday until at least the end of February. The USCA union representing the controllers cited issues such as low pay, loss of purchasing power, increased workload, and poor working conditions. The disruptions caused by these strikes were minimized due to what the unions called "abusive" minimum service requirements for workers.
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Cancelled strikes and union negotiations
In January 2024, ground staff at IAG-owned Iberia airlines began a four-day strike at Spanish airports, causing the cancellation of numerous flights. The strike was called due to a contract dispute with state-controlled airport operator Aena, which had hired new contractors for services previously provided by Iberia staff. Despite the impact on flights, Iberia reported minimal disruption to services.
In December 2023, airline staff in Spain also announced eight days of strikes over the Christmas period, intending to affect check-in and handling at airlines manned by Iberia staff, including Vueling and Aer Lingus.
However, not all strikes go ahead as planned. In October 2024, a major airport strike in Spain was averted thanks to a last-minute agreement between handling staff and management. The planned strike action was in response to complaints about poor working conditions, including understaffing, unpaid overtime, and an unsatisfactory work environment. While the strike was cancelled, unions considered the agreement a provisional step, committing to continue negotiations to improve workers' rights.
It is important to note that strikes are often used as bargaining tools in negotiations between unions and employers. As a result, it is common for both parties to reach an agreement before the strike occurs. Travellers are advised to stay informed about potential strike actions and their rights in such situations, especially regarding flight status and compensation options.
In addition to the aforementioned strikes, Spanish airports have also experienced disruptions due to strikes by air traffic controllers. In one instance, air traffic controllers at 16 Spanish airports, including Valencia and Palma de Mallorca, engaged in strike action every Monday until the end of February. The USCA union representing the controllers cited issues such as low pay, loss of purchasing power, increased workload, and poor working conditions as reasons for the strike.
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Air traffic controllers' strikes
Air traffic controllers in Spain have been striking at 16 airports, including Valencia and Palma de Mallorca. The industrial action has been ongoing every Monday since the second strike in February, with air traffic controllers threatening to continue striking through Easter, and possibly even summer. The airports affected include: A Coruna, Alicante-Elche, Castellon, Cuatro Vientos, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Jerez, Lanzarote, La Palma, Lleida, Murcia, Sabadell, Sevilla, Valencia, and Vigo.
The strikes have been called by the USCA union, which represents air traffic controllers, who are employed by private companies rather than the Spanish state. The union has stated that its members are the "worst-paid" air traffic controllers in Europe and the only ones who have to pay for their training. They argue that the contract renewals this year have resulted in a loss of purchasing power, worse working conditions, and longer working hours.
The impact on flights has been minimal so far, but the union has warned that the strikes could continue for several months, potentially causing significant disruption to travel during the peak summer season. The union's spokesperson, Gregorio Claros, has criticized the minimum services that workers are legally required to perform during the strikes, calling them "abusive".
It is important to note that strikes can occur at any time and often arise from disputes between unions and employers. Strikes are typically used as a bargaining tool during negotiations, and their impact on travellers can be significant, causing flight delays and cancellations. While airlines are usually obliged to provide assistance or compensation in the event of flight disruptions due to strikes, this may not always be the case, particularly if the strike is out of their control or if you booked your flight after the strike was announced. Therefore, it is essential to stay informed about any planned strike action and prepare for potential travel disruptions.
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Strikes by airline staff over Christmas
Airline staff strikes are an increasingly common occurrence, with workers across Europe walking out in protest of poor working conditions, staff shortages, and low pay. In Spain, there have been several strikes by airline and airport staff in recent months, causing varying levels of disruption to travellers.
In January 2024, ground staff at IAG-owned Iberia went on a four-day strike across Spanish airports. This was in response to Iberia being replaced by new contractors at several airports, despite claims that the new suppliers had promised to retain workers and their working conditions. While Iberia called the strike action "irresponsible", the union expected it to be observed at all airports, including Madrid. However, the impact on services was reported to be minimal.
In October 2024, a major strike by airport handling staff in Spain was averted after a last-minute agreement was reached. Staff had planned to strike due to repeated complaints about unsatisfactory working conditions, including understaffing, unpaid overtime, and a negative work environment. While the strike was cancelled, unions maintained that this was only a provisional step and that further action could be taken if handling companies did not fulfil their promises and obligations under new contracts.
Over Christmas 2023, airline staff in Spain called for eight days of strikes, impacting check-in and handling at airlines manned by Iberia staff, including Vueling and Aer Lingus. While specific details about the reasons for this strike are unavailable, it is likely that it was related to the broader issues of poor working conditions and low pay affecting airline and airport staff across Europe.
It is important for travellers to be aware of potential strike action and its possible impact on their journeys. While strikes are primarily used as bargaining chips in negotiations, they can still cause significant disruption to flights, with some airlines not offering compensation in the event of delays or cancellations due to strike action. Therefore, it is advisable for passengers to check for any planned strike dates and stay updated on their flight status to prepare for potential disruptions.
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Frequently asked questions
As of January 2024, ground staff at IAG-owned Iberia airlines are on strike at Spanish airports. However, the airline has reported minimum impact on its services.
In 2023, Spanish airports operator, state-controlled Aena, hired new contractors for services that were previously provided by Iberia. This angered unions, who claimed that companies failed to deliver on their promises and that violations of contracts had a "serious impact" on workers.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to strikes, the airline may be obliged to provide compensation. However, this depends on the specific airline's policies and the extent of your travel insurance. It is recommended to check for any strike dates before booking your flight and to keep updated on the status of your flight.
