Spain’s air traffic control strike begins: What to know if your flight is delayed

Friday, April 17 marks the first day of Spain’s indefinite air traffic control strike, set to affect 14 airports with SAERCO-managed towers across the country. The strike, which was announced by the Union of Air Traffic Controllers (USCA) and Workers’ Commissions (CCOO), was put into place after the unions failed to reach an agreement about working conditions with administrators.

Possible delays and cancellations in 14 airports across the country

For travellers, the strike signals a possibility of delays in top holiday destinations, including various airports on the Canary Islands, just ahead of peak season. Air traffic control strikes have the potential to be the most disruptive type of strike, affecting all airlines in the selected airports.

Travellers heading to the affected airports should plan for delays, late aircraft rotations, missed connections and short-notice timetable changes. While for the most part, total cancellations are not a primary concern, the strike has the potential to cause late takeoffs from previous locations, hold-ups, lengthy waits, and departures being rearranged and rescheduled.

The affected airports include:

• Lanzarote, Canary Islands
• Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
• La Palma, Canary Islands
• El Hierro, Canary Islands
• La Gomera, Canary Islands
• Sevilla, Andalucia
• Jerez (Cadiz), Andalucia
• Cuatro Vientos, Madrid
• Vigo, Galicia
• A Coruña
• Castellón-Costa Azahar, Valencia
• Burgos
• Huesca
• Ciudad Real

Despite the strike, air traffic control is considered an essential service, meaning that Spanish authorities can enforce minimum service levels. This reduces the probability of complete cancellations. Even still, travellers planning a holiday to any of the affected airports should take delays into account when booking their trip and when heading to the airport.

What rights do I have if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

Airlines are still under the obligation to provide a duty of care to passengers, regardless of external factors. If your flight is delayed, airlines must provide meals and refreshments (depending on the delay time and the distance of the flight), access to communication, and hotel and transport if passengers are stranded overnight.

If flights are cancelled, passengers have a right to refund or rebooking options.

Airlines also have an obligation to keep passengers informed about delays, cancellations, and what options travellers have should the strike cause significant disruptions.

However, since air traffic control strikes are considered “extraordinary circumstances,” airlines may not owe passengers compensation, even for long delays.

What has caused the strike?

The strike has been announced following long-standing tensions between air traffic control workers and administrative officials. The workers claim unfair working conditions, including an abundance of last-minute changes, on-call shifts, and the disregarding of mandatory holidays. Additionally, workers claim that attempts to meet and resolve issues have been repeatedly postponed or cancelled.

The strike is indefinite, potentially causing short-term or long-term instability for travellers until the unions are able to reach an agreement with their bosses. Their demands include increasing the number of workers on shifts, a definitive end to on-call shifts and last-minute changes, a guarantee of mandatory holidays, and working conditions compatible with operational safety and professional dignity.