Travel Alert for UK Tourists: Fresh Wave of Airport Strikes Set to Hit Spain
British holidaymakers heading to Spain are being warned of looming travel disruption as a new series of airport strikes is set to hit twelve major travel hubs across the country.
The strikes are scheduled to begin on 15 August and will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of the year. Affected airports include popular destinations such as Alicante, Malaga, Ibiza, Palma, Tenerife South, Lanzarote, Valencia, and Barcelona.
More than 3,000 baggage handlers employed by Azul Handling, which services Ryanair flights across Spain, are preparing to walk out in protest over working conditions.
The industrial action will be held at critical times of the day, from 5am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm, and 9pm to 11.59pm, hitting peak departure and arrival windows. The chaos could escalate over the late August bank holiday weekend, just before schools reopen in the UK.
Although Spanish law demands a “minimum service” during strikes, authorities haven’t confirmed what that will look like yet. Travellers could still face delays, missed connections, or disrupted luggage handling.
The core issues behind the strike include frustration over a lack of stable contracts for part-time workers, unsatisfactory working hours, and a disagreement with management over unpaid bonuses.
Azul Handling employees have also voiced concerns about punitive disciplinary actions. According to union claims, staff have been sanctioned with up to 36 days without pay for refusing non-mandatory shifts.
“UGT regrets having to go to these extremes and all the damages that may occur, for which the direct responsibility will be solely and exclusively the company and its reckless action with the workforce.”
That was the message from the workers’ union, UGT, expressing frustration over what they view as unfair and exploitative labour practices.
Jose Manuel Perez Grande, federal secretary of the FeSMC-UGT Air Union, went further, accusing the employer of mistreatment.
“Azul Handling pursues a strategy of precariousness and pressure on the workforce that violates basic labour rights and systematically ignores union demands.”
The union is demanding that Azul Handling reverse recent disciplinary actions, accept recommendations from the Joint Commission, and immediately begin meaningful talks to improve working conditions.
Despite the scale of the strike and the timing, Ryanair has moved to reassure passengers.
“Ryanair does not expect any disruption to our operation as a result of these third-party handling strikes in Spain,” The airline said in a statement.
Even so, uncertainty lingers. With thousands of workers set to take part and no resolution yet in sight, passengers are being urged to keep checking with their airlines, arrive early, and prepare for the unexpected.
The airport strikes are just the latest in a string of industrial actions across Europe’s travel industry this year. And for UK travellers, it could mean more queues, delays, and chaos, right in the middle of the peak holiday season.
