Lorraine Williamson
Passengers travelling through some of Spain’s busiest airports on Monday are being warned to check with their airline as a Groundforce strike begins, raising the risk of delays and disruption at terminals across the country. Aena has published notices at multiple airports saying the stoppages start on 30 March. They affect a company that provides ground services to several airlines.
The walkouts are not a one-off protest. They are part of an indefinite strike with partial stoppages scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
There are three daily time bands from;
- 5.00 am to 7.00 am
- 11.00 am to 5.00 pm
- 10.00 pm to midnight.
Aena has told passengers to contact their airline for the latest status of their flight.
Which airports are affected
The strike affects Groundforce operations at 12 airports: Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Valencia, Palma, Ibiza, Málaga, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Bilbao, according to reports on the first day of action.
Aena notices are already visible on airport pages, including Málaga-Costa del Sol, Alicante-Elche, Bilbao and Palma de Mallorca.
What it could mean for passengers
This does not automatically mean every flight will be cancelled. But it does increase the risk of problems with ground operations. These can lead to delays, longer waits, and knock-on disruption, especially at peak times. Because Groundforce works for several airlines rather than every carrier at every airport, the impact is likely to vary depending on who you are flying with and where you are travelling from.
There are already early signs of disruption. Europa Press reported delays at Palma on Monday morning as the strike began. That may prove to be an early indicator of how the rest of the day unfolds elsewhere if queues build during the longer midday stoppage window.
Why staff are taking action
The dispute has been building for days. El País reported before the strike began that unions, including CCOO, UGT and USO, had called the action over alleged failures to comply with parts of the collective agreement, including wage commitments and salary updates linked to inflation since 2022. Around 3,000 workers were expected to be affected.
That means this is not just a short-lived airport inconvenience story. It is part of a wider labour dispute in a sensitive part of Spain’s transport system, where even partial stoppages can quickly ripple through baggage handling, turnaround times and passenger flow.
What travellers should do
For passengers, the advice is straightforward. Check directly with your airline before leaving for the airport, allow extra time and keep an eye on live updates if you are flying through one of the affected hubs. Aena’s own notices point travellers back to the airline for the latest information on individual flights.
A travel story worth watching closely
Monday’s first phase of the Groundforce strike is likely to set the tone for the rest of the week.
For now, the key point is simple: passengers flying through some of Spain’s busiest airports today would be wise not to assume business as usual.