The ongoing 10-day strike among cabin crew at Iberia Express has dominated the week, sparked by a protest led by the USO union seeking a salary increase as part of ongoing negotiations with the airline. The union argues that a fair adjustment is overdue in light of rising living costs, while management contends that proposed wage increases are not aligned with the company’s financial framework and would create significant cost pressures.
Iberia Express has announced it will operate about 93.2 percent of its scheduled flights from Sunday through August 31, a plan that reflects the impact of the industrial action. The airline indicates that 28 flights have been canceled during this period as they fall outside the minimum service levels established by the Ministry of Transport. These minimum services are designed to guarantee essential air connections while preserving passenger options during disruptions.
After a failed effort to bridge divergent positions at the negotiating table last Friday, the USO continues to press ahead with plans for further strikes through September 6. The action targets the airline’s 532 crew members and reflects wider tensions between labor representatives and the carrier as talks proceed.
As part of the minimum service framework approved by the authorities, Iberia Express remains responsible for maintaining a specific portion of its network. Provisions require a certain range of operations to or from Madrid, with the airline’s low-cost arm playing a prominent role in sustaining connectivity across the region. The schedule includes a significant number of connections focused on the Madrid-Barajas hub, with some services suspended or altered in the coming days as hearings are scheduled. Company sources caution that some suspensions planned for August 31 are still under review and could be adjusted depending on the evolving negotiation landscape.
For the days highlighted by the carrier, the company has outlined a pattern of cancellations designed to minimize disruption while adhering to the mandated minimum service. On the 28th and 29th, Iberia Express plans to cancel one return flight per day to and from destinations including the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Seville, and Santiago, with Malaga also affected on the 29th. On the 30th there will be another round-trip cancellation to parts of the Balearic Islands, Seville, and Santiago. The 31st will see a further reduction in operations, including flights to the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
The impact on travelers is being managed with a combination of rebooking options and refunds. Of the roughly 3,700 customers expected to be affected by the service reductions, about 3,000 have already been moved to alternative flights. The remainder are weighing options such as alternative transport, refunds, date changes, or travel vouchers. The airline emphasizes that it is working to minimize inconvenience while complying with the regulatory framework that governs essential air services during labor disputes.
Wage negotiations have become a central point of contention. The USO argues for cost-of-living adjustments to wages that have not changed since 2015, asserting that the current freeze contributes to diminished purchasing power for crew members. In response, the airline maintains that proposed increases would raise overall wage costs by a substantial margin, which the company says would be unsustainable given current market conditions. The contrasting positions reflect broader debates within the aviation sector about balancing employee compensation with competitive business practices and the ability to maintain reliable service.
Meanwhile, another major union, CCOO, has chosen a different course in the negotiation process. CCOO disengaged from the USO’s latest round of discussions and subsequently secured a separate agreement with the airline. The terms under consideration would provide for an advance payment to crew members, including a 1,350 euro sum intended to offset surcharges and a separate 950 euro payment designated for cabin crew. The arrangement signals a move toward financial concessions that accompany a longer-term framework for labor relations at Iberia Express.
Looking ahead, both sides acknowledge that talks will continue with the aim of resolving wage disputes while preserving the airline’s ability to operate its schedule. Passengers and industry observers will be watching closely as negotiations unfold, with the potential for further adjustments to flight rosters should new agreements emerge or external conditions change. The situation at Iberia Express illustrates the delicate balance airlines must strike between meeting traveler needs, sustaining fiscal health, and addressing the concerns of crews who keep the operation running every day.