Airport Strikes in Spain During Easter: Details

Airport strikes have been announced in Spain, which may cause flight delays. Find out when the strikes will take place, which airports will be affected, and how to prepare for your trip

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During the 2026 Easter holidays, passengers planning to travel to Spain or through its airports may experience flight delays. The reason is large-scale strikes by ground staff, as reported by Euronews.

Why have strikes been announced at airports in Spain?

According to Euronews, the strikes were initiated by the UGT, CCOO, and USO unions. The main reasons for the protests are:

● disputes over wage levels;/

● unsatisfactory working conditions;

● the absence of new sectoral agreements.

The strikes will most significantly affect Groundforce employees—they are responsible for passenger and baggage handling at airports.

Strike schedule for March–April 2026

The strike campaign covers one of the busiest travel periods—Semana Santa (Holy Week). Key dates:

● Starting March 27, 2026 — start of an indefinite strike;

● Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 5:00 AM–7:00 AM, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, 10:00 PM–12:00 AM;

● Additional days: March 28–29 — 24 hours a day, April 2–6 — 24 hours a day.

If no agreement is reached between the parties, the strikes may continue until the end of 2026.

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Which Spanish airports will be most affected?

Disruptions are expected to affect the country’s key transportation hubs:

● Madrid-Barajas Airport

● Barcelona-El Prat Airport

● Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport

● Palma de Mallorca Airport

● Alicante-Elche Airport

● as well as airports in Tenerife, Ibiza, Valencia, Bilbao, and other cities

This means that delays may affect both international and domestic flights.

Will flights be canceled, and what delays should be expected?

Despite the strikes, no flights are scheduled to be completely canceled—the authorities guarantee a minimum level of service. At the same time, passengers should be prepared for:

● long check-in lines;

● delays in baggage claim;

● changes to flight schedules and delayed departures.

This is especially true during peak hours that coincide with the strike schedule.

To minimize risks and avoid unnecessary stress, travelers are advised to:

● check their flight status in advance before heading to the airport;

● arrive much earlier than usual;

● travel with carry-on luggage only, if possible.

It’s also worth considering alternative routes. For example, in the event of significant flight delays, it’s advisable to check other transportation options—trains or buses. You can conveniently do this via the Visit Ukraine platform, which offers a ticket booking system for all modes of transport, allowing you to quickly find the best option if your plans change.

We remind you! Some countries around the world have a reputation for being dangerous, although in reality the situation there has long since changed. Read about which popular destinations tourists underestimate and why they may be safe for travel.

Photo: Phil Mosley

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