Low-cost airline Ryanair declares 22 days of strike, causing disruption in a sought-after Mediterranean vacation spot
Ryanair passengers in Spain may face disruptions due to a strike by ground staff at Azul Handling, a ground handling company for the airline. The strike, which began in August and is scheduled to continue through December, has affected multiple airports across Spain.
The initial strike days were on August 15, 16, and 17, 2022, with strike times between 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, and 21:00–23:59 daily. If unresolved, the strikes were to continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of December. The airports affected include Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante, Seville, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife South, and in some sources, Ibiza, Girona, Lanzarote, and Santiago de Compostela.
Key strike dates in August, September, October, November, and December include the 15th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th, 31st (August), 6th and 7th (September), 11th and 12th (October), 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, and 31st (November).
Ryanair does not expect the announced strikes to affect its flight operations, but passengers are advised to check their flight status regularly and be aware of EU compensation rules due to the strike impact. It's also advisable to arrive at the airport early on the day of travel and keep alternative travel options in mind.
The labor dispute is between the unions UGT and CGT, and Ryanair's ground handling service provider, Azul Handling. The workers' representatives criticize mandatory overtime, fixed-term contracts, and obstruction of union activities. Within the works council, there are differing opinions: the union CCOO has accepted a collective agreement and is not participating in the strike, while UGT and CGT continue to demand improvements.
The Spanish Ministry of Transport is expected to order minimum services to keep operations at the airports at least partially running. It remains unclear to what extent delays or cancellations may occur. For those planning trips within the specified strike dates, it's recommended to regularly check the status of your flight and stay informed about potential changes.
Airport strikes are currently occurring frequently in popular travel destinations like Portugal. Passengers are encouraged to stay updated on any potential disruptions to their travel plans.
Due to the ongoing strike by ground staff at Azul Handling, the ground handling company for Ryanair, travelers may experience disruptions at multiple airports in Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante, Seville, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife South, and possibly Ibiza, Girona, Lanzarote, and Santiago de Compostela. It's essential for passengers with travel plans during the strike dates, such as August 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31, September 6 and 7, October 11 and 12, November 1, 2, 8, 9, and 31, to regularly check their flight status and prepare for potential changes in lifestyle due to travel delays or cancellations.
