Walkouts by airport staff have disrupted operations at 14 smaller airports across Spain, according to reports from the Spanish air navigation authority ENAIRE and regional transport officials. The industrial action, which began on April 28, 2025, affects ground handling, security, and air traffic support services at airports including Valladolid, Burgos, León, Salamanca, Albacete, Ciudad Real, Huesca, Lleida, Almería, Granada-Jaén, Jerez, Córdoba, Badajoz, and Melilla. The walkouts are being carried out by workers affiliated with the unions CCOO, UGT, and CGT, who are protesting proposed changes to shift patterns and overtime regulations under a new collective bargaining agreement being negotiated between airport service providers and labor representatives. Union officials state that the proposed changes would reduce rest periods between shifts and increase workload without corresponding pay adjustments, particularly affecting night and weekend staff. ENAIRE confirmed that while major hubs such as Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, and Málaga-Costa del Sol remain operational, the disruptions at regional airports have led to flight delays, cancellations, and rerouting. Airlines operating domestic and regional routes, including Air Europa, Iberia Express, and Binter Canarias, have issued advisories to passengers urging them to check flight status before traveling to affected airports. Passenger assistance services at the impacted airports have been scaled back, with limited availability of check-in counters, baggage handling, and security screening. Some airports have activated contingency plans involving temporary staff from other regions, though union representatives say these measures are insufficient to maintain normal operations. The Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has not issued a public statement on the walkouts as of April 29, 2025. ENAIRE said It’s monitoring the situation in coordination with airport operators and has urged both parties to return to negotiations to prevent further disruption. No formal mediation has been scheduled, and neither the unions nor the employer association ACI España has announced plans for resumed talks. Flights to and from the affected airports continue to experience delays, with average wait times reported between two and four hours at peak periods. Travelers are advised to contact their airlines directly for updates and to consider alternative transportation where feasible. The situation remains unresolved, with no date set for the resumption of normal services at the impacted airports.
