Strike actions by Aena employees during the Christmas period
Employees within the Aena airport network are planning multiple walkouts during the Christmas week, New Year’s Eve, and associated festival dates. The CCOO union intends to file a strike notice for Monday 22, and for the 23rd, 30th, and 31st of December, with additional actions considered for January 6 and 8, 2023. Approximately 10,000 staff from the Aena group (Aena, Enaire, and Región de Murcia International Airport) may participate in the protests, which could disrupt flight operations across Spain if the calls are observed.
The drivers behind the action are workers seeking to restore wages and productivity benefits that were suspended when the pandemic began and later paused following the restructuring of the public-private group. With airport traffic largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels and the company once again paying dividends to shareholders, employees are pressing to recover an annual supplement that constitutes roughly 2% of each worker’s yearly earnings. Today, the Aena network handled about 225.7 million passengers, a 12% decline from the same period in 2019 but a gain of 110% compared with the previous year.
At present, CCOO is the only union calling for mobilization, holding a 42% representation share within Aena’s affiliated entities. Union sources indicate that the payment pause hinges on authorization from the Ministry of Finance, not on Aena itself. They estimate the total annual cost of the supplement at around eight million euros for the public treasury. Optimism persists that a negotiated agreement can be reached, according to union insiders.
The union will formalize the strike request with the Department of Labor on Monday, after which the Department of Transport would determine the minimum service levels. If no agreement is reached beforehand, further strikes at other airports are likely to be scheduled on the same holiday dates. In addition to the Aena movements, a separate cabin crew action has been announced by one of the airlines with significant operation across Spain, targeting key holiday periods. This situation overlaps with other strikes announced since the summer by Ryanair crews.
Pilot strike at Air Nostrum
Air travel may see notable disruption during the Christmas period of 2022 into early 2023, mirroring the labor actions among Aena staff. The SEPLA pilot union has called for walkouts on December 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, and 30, and again on January 2 and 3, 2023. Organizers link the conflict to a perceived impasse in negotiations for a new collective agreement, with the company maintaining a firm stance on key issues related to pilots’ working conditions and pay expectations.
According to the organizers, the dispute centers on what they view as a management-driven deadlock in bargaining. The pilots’ group argues that meaningful progress requires concessions on terms of work and compensation that align with contemporary industry standards. The outcome of these talks could shape flight schedules and availability during an already busy travel window, potentially affecting travel plans for passengers across Europe and beyond, including connections through major hubs.
Note: These summaries reflect ongoing labor actions and the potential impact on flight operations. The situation is subject to change as negotiations continue and authorities determine service levels and contingency measures. Citations: union statements and official agency announcements on labor arbitration processes.