Major Airport Strikes to Disrupt Spain Travel This August

• Thousands of holidaymakers face potential chaos at Spanish airports as ground handling staff announce widespread strikes throughout August and beyond

Travellers heading to Spain this August face significant disruption as two major ground handling companies have announced strikes affecting airports across the country during the peak holiday season.

The industrial action involves over 3,000 workers at Azul Handling, Ryanair's baggage-handling subsidiary, and approximately 1,500 staff at Menzies Aviation, which provides ground services for multiple airlines including Aer Lingus, easyJet, and British Airways.

Strike Dates and Affected Airports

Azul Handling (Ryanair) workers will strike from 15 August through to 31 December 2025, with walkouts scheduled every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The action will take place in three daily time bands: 5am-9am, 12pm-3pm, and 9pm-11:59pm.

The strikes affect Ryanair operations at Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Málaga, Palma, Valencia, Ibiza, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote, and Santiago airports.

Menzies Aviation staff will hold 24-hour strikes on 16-17 August, 23-24 August, and 30-31 August. These affect Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, and Tenerife South airports.

Menzies handles baggage and ramp services for airlines including Aer Lingus, easyJet, British Airways, Norwegian, Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, American Airlines, and Emirates.

Why Are Workers Striking?

The UGT union says staff are striking over persistent issues including unpaid wages, payroll errors, chaotic shift patterns, chronic understaffing, and arbitrary holiday allocations.

José Manuel Pérez Grande of FeSMC-UGT claims Azul Handling has pursued "a strategy of precariousness and pressure on the workforce" and refuses to engage meaningfully with union demands.

Workers report being routinely pressured into working additional hours against their will and facing disciplinary action if they refuse. Staff shortages have made workloads heavier, with claims of unfair treatment around sick leave and family-related absences.

Impact on Passengers

With fewer staff available to handle baggage and assist at the gates, queues are likely to be longer and turnaround times slower. In some cases, the disruption could be severe enough to cause flight cancellations, particularly if delays build up throughout the day.

Spain's Ministry of Transport has mandated minimum service levels during the strikes. For Azul, 75-85% of international flights and routes to the Balearic and Canary Islands must operate; domestic services with no viable land alternatives should see about 60% of flights, while shorter routes can be reduced to roughly 35%.

Airlines are advising passengers to check their flight status before travelling and to carry essential items in hand luggage, including medications, chargers, travel documents, and a change of clothes.

Your Rights During Strike Action

Under EU regulations, passengers delayed for three hours or more may be entitled to compensation. However, because these strikes involve third-party contractors rather than airline employees, carriers may argue the disruption constitutes "extraordinary circumstances" and limit payouts.

Ryanair passengers may have different rights. If your Ryanair flight is cancelled or arrives more than three hours late due to these strikes, you may still be entitled to compensation, provided you submit your claim through EUclaim.

Regardless of compensation rights, all airlines must provide care and assistance, including alternative flights or refunds, plus reasonable expenses for meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if required.

Advice for Travellers

Passengers flying to or from Spain during the strike periods should:

• Check flight status directly with their airline before travelling
• Allow extra time at the airport for check-in and security
• Pack essential items in carry-on luggage
• Consider travel insurance that covers strike action
• Keep receipts for any additional expenses incurred

The strikes come as Spain experiences record numbers of Irish and British holidaymakers, with around 18.4 million Britons visiting in 2024 and Málaga remaining a popular gateway for Cork and Dublin passengers.

For the latest information on your flight, contact your airline directly or check the Spanish Ministry of Transport website for updated minimum service requirements.