Spanish airports are approaching a tense Christmas period as the country’s leading transport unions gear up for a prolonged eight-day industrial action. The move targets working conditions and could disrupt operations at major hubs and affect travelers planning multi-person holidays.
UGT and CCOO announce eight-day strike in Iberia over Christmas
When is the strike?
The unions have scheduled an eight-day strike to run across the peak Christmas travel window. The action is set for December 29, December 30, December 31, January 1, January 4, January 5, January 6 and January 7. The timing coincides with year-end celebrations and the Epiphany holiday, potentially impacting holiday plans and travel schedules.
Who is organizing the protests?
Protests are being organized by the two most representative unions in the sector, CCOO and UGT. The unions formalized the strike call in the current week after discussions with member bases and industry stakeholders. This is seen as a response to broader labor and outsourcing concerns within the sector.
Why the strike?
The dispute centers on the contract awarded to a national airport authority for the management and handling of luggage at Spain’s top airports. Previously Iberia, part of the IAG group, held a major role in baggage handling and ground support. The winner of the most recent contract was not Iberia, and the new award has shifted those responsibilities to other firms. That change has raised concerns among Iberia workers about potential transfers to different companies and the erosion of established working conditions.
In September, Iberia’s lead on certain ground support duties at key hubs such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, and Alicante shifted to third-party providers. Workers fear compelled transfers away from Iberia and a dilution of negotiated terms and protections as a result of the new arrangement.
Which airlines and airports are affected?
The protests are expected to intensify at Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Alicante airports, where the shift to third-party management has been most visible. In Madrid, Iberia continues to engage with third-party partners, and union organizers estimate that roughly 7,000 employees could be impacted by the strike call. The disruption could extend to airlines within the IAG group that rely on Iberia staff for ground handling, alongside other carriers that benefit from Iberia’s ground services at shared facilities. Vueling, the busiest carrier at Barcelona, could also feel the effects of the action. Additionally, Iberia staff provide services to several international carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and American Airlines, raising the potential for broader operational impact if ground handling slows or pauses across ports of call.
What are the minimum services?
During any strike affecting critical mobility infrastructure, Spain’s Ministry of Transport outlines minimum service levels to keep flight operations functional. The ministerial orders specify the allowable proportion of flights that must continue under national, international, and regional routes. Those minimums are typically announced a few days before the strikes begin and may influence how airlines prioritize operations while workers participate in the action.