Lorraine Williamson
Madrid-Barajas is built for movement. Over Christmas, it becomes a pressure cooker. That’s why the Barajas Christmas ground staff strike matters to anyone flying in or out of the Spanish capital in the coming days.
Spanish unions have called partial walkouts among IAG-linked ground staff at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. The action targets the hours when departures and arrivals stack up. If it goes ahead, passengers could experience slower check-in, baggage delays, and knock-on disruptions across tight connections.
The unions USO and CGT have set f
They plan two daily stoppages, rather than a full-day walkout: 8.00 am – 12.00 pm and 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm. Those brackets land right in the middle of busy morning waves and evening peaks at Barajas.
Who’s involved, and which airlines might feel it
The dispute centres on South Europe Ground Services, the ground-handling business linked to IAG in Spain. It covers core “on the ground” work: check-in support, baggage operations and ramp services.
Iberia has already warned that flights to or from Madrid on those dates may face delays, tying the risk directly to ground handling services at Barajas.
For travellers, the practical point is simple: even when aircraft and crew are ready, a bottleneck on the ground can still slow the system down. Expect the worst pinch points at bag-drop, boarding flow, and baggage reclaim.
Why staff say they’re walking out
USO and CGT say the problems aren’t new. They point to repeated payslip errors, claims about unpaid or incorrectly paid amounts, and demands to apply supplements recognised by firm court rulings. They also want part-time staff treated on equal terms for rest days and holidays, alongside stronger training for new starters and more workable rostering for family life.
The unions say talks haven’t delivered changes they can take back to members. So they’ve chosen dates when the impact will be felt fastest: the Christmas rush and the first wave of January returns.
If you’re flying via Madrid, do this now
Start with the basics, before you even leave home. Check your airline’s live flight status. Then plan as if the airport will run slower than usual.
If you can, travel with cabin baggage only. If you must check a bag, give yourself extra time and keep essentials in your hand luggage. Think medication, chargers, a spare layer, and anything you cannot replace that day.
And if Madrid is a connection, treat it like a tight domino line. One delay at the start can wipe out a short transfer window. Book seats together early if you’re travelling as a family, and keep an eye on gate changes.
Rebooking options already on the table for Iberia passengers
Iberia has published a flexibility policy for travellers affected by the ground handling strike dates. Customers flying to or from Madrid on services operated by Iberia, Iberia Express or Iberia Regional Air Nostrum may be able to change their booking to travel on another date up to 15 January 2026, depending on how and when the ticket was bought.
If you booked through a third party, check that agent’s rules too. In practice, this is where many travellers lose time: the airline’s policy exists, but the booking channel controls how quickly changes happen.
Christmas travel and what drivers need to know
What are your passenger rights if things go wrong?
Under EU guidance, you always have core rights if your flight is cancelled: a refund or rerouting, plus assistance while you wait. Compensation depends on the cause and on whether the disruption counts as “extraordinary circumstances”.
The same EU guidance draws a line between strikes. Internal airline staff strikes usually do not count as extraordinary. External strikes, such as action by airport staff, may count—although airlines still owe care and rerouting duties.
In other words: don’t assume you’ll automatically get compensation, but do push for rerouting, support, and clear written explanations if disruption hits.
The bigger picture: why airport strikes keep landing in December
Across Europe, airport disputes have become a familiar part of the festive calendar. Workers know this is when employers feel the pressure, and when public attention peaks. Travel publishers have been tracking a wider pattern of pre-Christmas aviation strikes and walkouts across multiple countries this month.
When the journey home becomes the hardest part of Christmas
The key thing to remember before you fly
This isn’t a blanket shutdown of Madrid-Barajas. It’s a targeted squeeze on the hours that matter most. If you’re travelling on one of the five dates, treat your trip like a live situation: keep notifications on, arrive earlier than you normally would, and make your Plan B before you need it.
Because at Christmas, the delay you can’t see coming is usually the one that costs you the most.
Sources: HostelTur, Iberia, European Union