Airport operations across Spain may face disruption during the upcoming Semana Santa travel period as ground staff unions have announced strike action starting March 27, 2026, according to a Travel + Leisure report.
The walkouts will affect key airport services including baggage handling, aircraft turnaround and boarding, raising the risk of delays at major travel hubs during one of the busiest holiday periods. Travellers have been advised to check flight updates and allow extra time at airports.
Strike schedule and airports affected
The dispute centres on working conditions, pay and broader labour agreements. Talks held on March 20, 2026, at the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA) failed to reach an agreement between unions and companies, leading to the strike announcement.
According to a report by Travel + Leisure report, groundforce staff will begin an indefinite strike from March 27. Other airport handling workers have planned 24-hour strikes on March 28 and 29, followed by further action from April 2 to 6. Additional stoppages are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with strike hours set between 5 am to 7 am, 11 am to 5 pm and 10 pm to midnight.
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Major airports expected to be impacted include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Alicante-Elche, Valencia, Ibiza, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur and Norte, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
According to Majorca Daily Bulletin, “it could affect up to 800,000 people” at Palma Airport, which is “preparing for a record period, with 80 percent of hotels open, after a long winter.”
Spanish law requires a minimum level of service during strikes in essential sectors. However, disruption is still expected, with reports indicating that these measures may not fully prevent delays.
Passengers may face longer check-in queues, slower boarding and disembarkation, delays at baggage drop and possible hold-ups during luggage collection. Airports, including Palma, have issued advisories asking travellers to monitor flight status updates and plan for additional waiting time.
The walkouts will affect key airport services including baggage handling, aircraft turnaround and boarding, raising the risk of delays at major travel hubs during one of the busiest holiday periods. Travellers have been advised to check flight updates and allow extra time at airports.
Strike schedule and airports affected
The dispute centres on working conditions, pay and broader labour agreements. Talks held on March 20, 2026, at the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA) failed to reach an agreement between unions and companies, leading to the strike announcement.According to a report by Travel + Leisure report, groundforce staff will begin an indefinite strike from March 27. Other airport handling workers have planned 24-hour strikes on March 28 and 29, followed by further action from April 2 to 6. Additional stoppages are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with strike hours set between 5 am to 7 am, 11 am to 5 pm and 10 pm to midnight.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
Major airports expected to be impacted include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Alicante-Elche, Valencia, Ibiza, Bilbao, Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur and Norte, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
According to Majorca Daily Bulletin, “it could affect up to 800,000 people” at Palma Airport, which is “preparing for a record period, with 80 percent of hotels open, after a long winter.”
Spanish law requires a minimum level of service during strikes in essential sectors. However, disruption is still expected, with reports indicating that these measures may not fully prevent delays.
Passengers may face longer check-in queues, slower boarding and disembarkation, delays at baggage drop and possible hold-ups during luggage collection. Airports, including Palma, have issued advisories asking travellers to monitor flight status updates and plan for additional waiting time.