The situation in Spain’s largest airports has sharply deteriorated following the start of an indefinite strike by Groundforce employees. On the first day alone, dozens of flights were delayed, and some aircraft departed without passengers’ luggage. For Spaniards, this not only means lost time but also extra expenses and added risks for business and tourist travel.
The protest was triggered by disagreements between Groundforce workers and management regarding the fulfillment of collective agreement terms. Employees are demanding proper wage indexation to keep pace with inflation, aiming to prevent a further decline in purchasing power. According to El Diario.es, unions accuse the company of using disputed clauses in the agreement to freeze payments and reduce salary increases for certain staff categories. Unions believe this leads to unfair disparities within the workforce.
Impact on flights
The strike has affected 12 airports, including Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Malaga, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Bilbao. Madrid and Barcelona were hit hardest: according to EFE, by midday, 37% of flights in Barcelona were delayed, with an average delay of 17 minutes. In Madrid, the figure was 38%, with an average wait of 14 minutes. In Palma de Mallorca, delays affected 16% of departures but were shorter—up to 10 minutes.
The situation is especially acute in Madrid, where, according to unions, at least six planes departed without passengers’ luggage. Airports in the Canary Islands, where aviation is crucial for the economy, also reported major disruptions. According to RUSSPAIN.COM estimates, about a thousand workers in the region joined the strike.
Services and airlines
Groundforce, part of the Globalia group, recently received twelve licenses to serve the country’s largest airports. However, not all airlines depend on its services: for instance, Ryanair uses its own staff, while other carriers work with different operators. In Barcelona, Groundforce handles Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, making their flights the most vulnerable to disruptions. According to La Vanguardia, warning signs have been posted at these companies’ counters about possible delays and baggage issues.
The strike takes place in three time slots: from 5 to 7 am, from 11 am to 5 pm, and from 10 pm to midnight. Unions highlight that the requirements for minimum staffing are excessively high and, in their view, exceed the standards set by law. In some cases, the required staff level reached 81%, which, according to UGT representatives, makes it difficult to conduct an effective action.
Outlook and risks
The protest has been declared indefinite and will recur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until an agreement is reached. The unions emphasize that they are open to negotiations but are not prepared to accept decisions that worsen working conditions amid rising prices. If no compromise is found, the situation may escalate: starting April 2, Menzies employees are expected to join the protest, coinciding with the start of the Easter holidays and increased passenger traffic.
In recent years, Spanish airports have already faced similar labor disputes. Strikes by ground staff have led to widespread delays and flight cancellations, especially during peak demand periods. In 2023, similar protests in Barcelona and Madrid sparked frustration among tourists and business travelers. At that time, negotiations between unions and employers dragged on for several weeks before a temporary compromise was reached. Now, tensions have flared up again, and the impact on passengers could be even more severe.
