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Ryanair baggage handler strike disrupts Spain’s busiest summer travel days
Industrial action by Ryanair’s baggage handlers in Spain began today, August 15th, coinciding with a national holiday and one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The strike is set to affect operations across all Ryanair bases in Spain, marking the start of a broader wave of summer airport disruptions in the country.
Strike details and key airports affected
The Spanish union UGT called the walkout to protest sanctions imposed on workers and alleged abuse of overtime by Azul Handling, Ryanair’s ground operations subsidiary in Spain. The initial stoppages are scheduled for August 15th, 16th, and 17th, with plans to extend the strikes every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the end of 2025 if no agreement is reached.
Ryanair operates at key Spanish airports, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Alicante, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote, and Santiago de Compostela.
Early reports from Aena, Spain’s airport network, show minor delays of under an hour at some airports, although these are not exclusive to Ryanair flights. The walkouts are expected to slow down airport services overall, particularly on peak travel days.
More strikes on the horizon
The Ryanair strike coincides with additional industrial action planned by ground staff employed by the Menzies group, which provides essential airport services at major hubs such as Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Palma, Málaga, and Tenerife South. These strikes are set for August 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th, and 31st.
Menzies group staff handle ground operations for several major airlines, including Emirates, British Airways, American Airlines, EasyJet, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, and Wizz Air, meaning the impact on air travel could extend well beyond Ryanair.
Ryanair’s response and ongoing tensions
Ryanair has downplayed the potential impact of the strikes, claiming that operations will proceed as normal despite the walkouts. However, the strike comes amid ongoing disputes between Ryanair and Spanish airport operator Aena, with the airline accusing Aena of excessive airport fees.
Earlier this year, Ryanair cut 800,000 seats and 12 routes from regional Spanish airports, citing unprofitability due to high fees. While it has reduced services in smaller markets, the airline has added 1.5 million seats to busier hubs like Madrid, Málaga, and Alicante, solidifying its position as Spain’s most-used airline.
Advice for travelers
Passengers flying from affected airports during the strike period are advised to check with their airline for updates on flight schedules and potential delays. With industrial action set to continue throughout August and beyond, travel unpredictability is expected to remain high across Spain’s busiest airports.