From August 4, over 1,100 Groundforce employees at Barcelona-El Prat launch an indefinite strike. The protest targets worsening working conditions and could impact nearly 2 million passengers during peak travel.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport is bracing for significant disruption as Groundforce’s ground handling staff, represented by the CGT union, begin an indefinite strike from midnight on August 4. The industrial action, which affects 1,179 workers responsible for check-in, boarding, and flight coordination, comes after repeated warnings about deteriorating workplace safety and health conditions. According to the union, management’s lack of response to these concerns has left staff with no alternative but to halt work at one of Spain’s busiest airports.
The CGT, which holds a majority on the company’s works council, points to chronic understaffing, excessive workloads, and insufficient training for new hires as key issues. Union spokesperson Esther García stated that employees are still open to dialogue, but frustration has reached a breaking point. The strike is expected to impact airlines operating from both terminals, including major carriers such as Air Europa, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, and others.
Groundforce, part of the Globalia group, holds licenses to provide ground services at twelve of Spain’s largest airports, including Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Palma, Ibiza, Málaga, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Bilbao. Earlier this year, other unions—CCOO, UGT, and USO—also called indefinite strikes at Groundforce, highlighting ongoing tensions within the sector.
Between August and September, airlines served by Groundforce in Barcelona are scheduled to operate around 11,600 flights, offering nearly 2.4 million seats. The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility estimates that up to 2 million passengers could be affected if the strike continues through the peak summer period. To mitigate the impact, the ministry has set minimum service levels: 80% for flights to non-peninsular destinations or those under public service obligations in August, dropping slightly in September. For international and long domestic routes with no viable public transport alternative, minimum services are set at 58% in August and 57% in September. Shorter domestic routes will see minimum operations of 35% in August and 36% in September.
Disruptions at major Spanish transport hubs are not new. For example, Madrid recently faced significant traffic changes due to tunnel closures for infrastructure works, as detailed in this report on the M-30 tunnel closure. Such events highlight the vulnerability of Spain’s transport network to industrial action and infrastructure projects, especially during the busy summer season.
Barcelona-El Prat is Spain’s second-busiest airport and a key gateway for both domestic and international travel. Groundforce’s client list includes a mix of European, Middle Eastern, and North American airlines, making the strike’s impact particularly broad. The ongoing dispute underscores persistent challenges in Spain’s aviation sector, where labor relations and service continuity remain under pressure amid rising passenger volumes and operational demands.
For travelers, the strike means potential delays, cancellations, and longer wait times at check-in and boarding. Authorities advise passengers to check with their airlines for updates and to allow extra time at the airport. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further negotiations if management and unions return to the table. As Spain’s airports continue to recover from recent years’ disruptions, the outcome of this strike will be closely watched by both industry stakeholders and the traveling public.
