Iberia reported that on the third day of the labor action, normal operations were largely restored at the majority of Spanish airports. Across the network, tracking data indicate that follow-up among workers without the minimum service letter stands at about 17.5 percent on average, reflecting those employees who did not report sick leave or other justified absences. The airline stressed that this figure comes from careful ongoing monitoring and represents a cautious estimate of absence linked to the strike.
“The third day of the strike began with normal operations at Spanish airports. Follow-up among workers without minimum service letters is now on average 17.5%,” the company announced in a Sunday press release, outlining the measurable impact and the steps taken to maintain service levels. The statement underscored that the assessment relies on real-time data and excludes those with valid, pre-approved leaves unrelated to the walkout.
Iberia noted that the calculation includes tracking data and focuses on workers who do not hold a minimum service letter and did not take sick leave; in other words, those whose absence was directly attributable to the strike.
The airline also reported that punctuality on Saturday stood at 83 percent across the entire network. For Sunday, the Iberia Group outlined a plan featuring 539 scheduled flights, with 80 already operated at the time of the latest update, reflecting a steady effort to maintain schedule integrity amid the disruption.
In addition, efforts were directed toward tidying up all luggage and ensuring shipments reach customers as soon as possible. As a result, certain loads could not be boarded this Saturday in Bilbao, Barcelona, and Gran Canaria, with priority given to rapid handling of baggage once operations permitted.
Iberia extended thanks for the understanding and patience of all customers, including travelers and partner airlines served by Iberia Airport Services, and offered an apology for the inconvenience caused by the strike called by the unions.
The strike call was issued by UGT, CCOO, USO and the Intercompany Committee, spanning Friday, January 5 through Sunday, January 8. It led to the cancellation of 444 Iberia group flights and affected approximately 45,600 passengers, according to the airline.
However, the disruption could influence the operations of nearly a hundred airlines that Iberia Airport Services supports at Aena airports on dates that coincide with the Three Kings holiday and the post-Christmas return traffic, potentially shaping travel plans across the network in the days ahead.