Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s busiest summer getaway weekend is facing turbulence on the ground, as strikes by airport handling staff threaten to derail travel plans for thousands. The walkouts coincide with the Assumption Day holiday on 15 August, a peak period for both domestic and international flights.
Two of Spain’s largest ground handling operators are at the centre of the dispute. Azul Handling, which works exclusively for Ryanair, begins its strike action on Friday 15 August in three daily blocks — 5.00 am–9.00 am, 12 noon–3.00 pm, and 9.00 pm–11.59 pm — with stoppages set to continue sporadically until the end of December.
Menzies Aviation, servicing airlines such as Emirates, British Airways, EasyJet, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian and Wizz Air, plans walkouts on 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31 August, hitting the last three summer weekends.
Together, the strikes could affect operations at 27 airports, including Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife South, Valencia and Seville.
Minimum services to keep flights moving
To limit disruption, Spain’s Ministry of Transport has imposed minimum service levels. These range from 75–85% for international and island flights with Ryanair to as low as 35% for short domestic routes with alternative transport under five hours. Menzies is subject to similar rules, with higher percentages for flights without easy alternatives.
Airports covered by the order include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante-Elche, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Seville, Tenerife South, Palma de Mallorca, Gran Canaria and Ibiza.
Passenger rights under EU law
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers on flights departing from EU airports are entitled to a full refund within seven days, re-routing, or return flights. Compensation of up to €600 may apply depending on the distance and delay, but airlines often argue that strikes by external service providers fall under “extraordinary circumstances” — exempting them from paying this.
Even so, travellers can claim reimbursement for meals, accommodation and transport if delays or cancellations cause overnight stays.
Why the strikes are happening
The disputes have been simmering for months. Azul Handling workers cite unpredictable schedules, enforced overtime, penalties for refusing shifts, and a lack of secure contracts. At Menzies Aviation, grievances include unpaid wages — in some cases for up to four months — and failure to honour staff transfer agreements.
While sources suggest Ryanair staff action is unlikely to be resolved quickly, there is still hope of a breakthrough in talks at Menzies that could reduce the number of strike days.
How travellers can prepare
With baggage handling and refuelling among the services affected, travellers are advised to check flight updates regularly, allow extra time at the airport, and prepare for possible delays or rerouting. The impact is expected to be most severe on routes to the Canary and Balearic Islands, where alternative transport is limited.
The timing, during one of Spain’s most important summer holiday weekends, means even small disruptions could snowball — making preparation and flexibility essential for anyone flying this August.
Sources: El País, as.com, información.es