Ryanair baggage crew announce August strikes in Spain—will your flight be disrupted?
Spanish Airports Brace for Disruptions Amid Nationwide Strike
What’s at Stake?
With strikes set to hit multiple Spanish airports during peak travel hours, travelers may face delays and cancellations that could ripple across the nation’s air traffic.
Key Impact Times
- Morning rush: 6–9 AM at Madrid Barajas
- Late‑afternoon peak: 4–7 PM across Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga
- Evening slots: 8–10 PM in major hubs
Potential Passenger Fallout
Passengers expecting on‑time departures may find their itineraries altered, with airlines staking out contingency plans such as alternate flights and reimbursement options.
What Can You Do?
- Regard updated flight statuses via airline apps or airport websites.
- Give extra buffer time for check‑in and security checks.
- Consider flexible change policies if ticket prices allow.
Industry Outlook
The strike’s longevity remains uncertain, but while transportation unions stay firm, civil aviation authorities are on standby to mediate and keep the skies as stable as possible.
General Union of Workers Announces Nationwide Strike at Azul Handling
What Is at Stake
The General Union of Workers (UGT) has called for a nationwide strike across all Azul Handling operations in Spain, citing persistent precarious working conditions and repeated breaches of labor rights.
Affected Locations
The strike will begin on 15 August and will involve every Azul Handling facility and operational base in Spain:
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Seville
- Malaga
- Alicante
- Ibiza
- Palma de Mallorca
- Girona
- Tenerife South
- Lanzarote
- Santiago de Compostela
Strike Schedule
Initial phase (15‑17 August):
- 15 August – 05:00 to 09:00, 12:00 to 15:00, 21:00 to 23:59
- 16 August – 05:00 to 09:00, 12:00 to 15:00, 21:00 to 23:59
- 17 August – 05:00 to 09:00, 12:00 to 15:00, 21:00 to 23:59
Ongoing schedule (until 31 December 2025):
- Every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
What This Means for Passengers
Travelers planning to arrive at or depart from any of the listed airports from mid‑August onward should contact Ryanair to confirm whether their flights will be affected by the strike.
UGT calls for better conditions for its workers
Air Sector Union Demands Action Amid Novo Dispute with Azul Handling
Following a call for mediation by the FeSMC‑UGT Air Sector, the company faces escalating strikes triggered by escalating tensions between workers and management.
Key Grievances Highlighted by the Union
- Unresolved Working Hours: Permanent part‑time employees lack a consistent schedule, amplifying uncertainty.
- Forced Overtime: Staff are compelled to add hours under coercive conditions, undermining work‑life balance.
- Harsh Discipline: The union labels current disciplinary measures as excessively punitive.
- Economic Violation: Breaches of the Joint Committee of the Sectoral Agreement concerning economic guarantees and bonus payouts.
- Medical Leave Restrictions: Imposed limits on post‑medical‑leave return create barriers for workers.
- Flexibility Denied: Refusal to offer family‑friendly shifts obstacles the communication of flexible scheduling.
Union’s Position
José Manuel Pérez Grande, federal secretary of the FeSMC‑UGT air union, asserts:
“Azul Handling’s current approach embraces precarity and applies relentless pressure on its workforce, systematically flouting essential labour rights while disregarding union requests.”
Desired Outcomes for the Union
The union’s call is straightforward:
- Abandon all punitive sanctions against staff.
- Adhere to the decisions within the collective agreement.
- Engage genuinely in discussions aimed at elevating working conditions for the 3,000+ employees spread across the nation.
Moving Forward
With shareholders and policymakers under growing scrutiny, the union’s demand for transparency and respect for labour standards aims to restore trust and secure a sustainable future for Azul Handling’s core workforce.
