Serious disruptions to Spanish air transport are expected from mid-August until the end of 2025, as the UGT union has announced a series of strikes involving two major employers in the ground handling sector.
According to the portal Reise vor 9, the first front concerns Ryanair ground staff, employed through its subsidiary Azul Handling. Workers at 27 airports will carry out repeated work stoppages from mid-August until December 31, in three daily time slots: 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00 and 21:00–23:59. The strikes include major airports such as Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca.
The second front concerns the international ground handling service provider Menzies Aviation Iberica and Menzies Ground Services. The UGT has called 24-hour strikes for August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31, at all Spanish airports where the companies operate.
Menzies serves, among others, Emirates, British Airways, American Airlines, EasyJet, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian and Wizz Air, with main hubs at the airports of Barcelona, Palma, Malaga, Alicante and Tenerife South.
These protests, if not avoided through dialogue, are expected to cause extensive delays and flight cancellations, particularly affecting Spain’s tourist traffic at the peak of the summer and autumn seasons.
