Ongoing strike action by ground handling staff at major Spanish airports and airport service personnel across Portugal is raising the risk of delays, long queues and wider operational disruption through the end of December, just as holiday travel peaks across Europe.

Travelers heading to hubs such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Portuguese gateways including Lisbon, Porto and Faro are being urged to allow extra time, monitor flight status closely and be prepared for last minute changes.

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Spanish baggage handlers extend walkouts into late December

In Spain, a rolling campaign of strikes by ground handling staff that began over the summer is continuing through 31 December, affecting a dozen of the country’s busiest airports. The walkouts primarily involve employees of Azul Handling, Ryanair’s main ground services provider in Spain, and are focused on disputes over pay, bonuses, scheduling and job security.

According to recent industry and media reports, stoppages are being staged every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in tightly defined time blocks during the day.

These strikes are timed to coincide with periods of peak activity at the airports, typically from 5 to 9 a.m., 12 to 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight. At these times, passengers can expect slower check in, longer waits at bag drop and delays in baggage delivery on arrival.

While flights are generally still operating, knock on effects from slower ground operations can lead to late departures and missed connections, particularly for travelers with tight transfer windows.

The impacted Spanish airports include Barcelona El Prat, Madrid Barajas, Malaga, Alicante, Girona, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Tenerife South and Valencia.

Budget carrier Ryanair, which relies heavily on Azul Handling, is the most exposed, but disruption can ripple across terminals, affecting other airlines that share infrastructure and resources during busy periods.

Spanish airport operator Aena has said it is working with airlines and service providers to limit the impact on passengers, but industry observers note that ground handling is a highly specialized function that cannot be easily or quickly substituted. This makes queues at check in, bag drop and baggage claim the most visible sign of the dispute for travelers, even when flight schedules appear largely intact.

Madrid Barajas faces additional targeted strike days

On top of the nationwide Azul Handling walkouts, Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport is contending with a separate round of strike action by ground handling staff employed by South Europe Ground Services, a company linked to airline group IAG.

Two unions have called stoppages at Barajas on several specific dates during the Christmas and New Year period, adding a further layer of uncertainty for those flying in and out of the Spanish capital.

The announced strike days at Madrid Barajas are 23, 26 and 30 December, followed by 2 and 7 January. On each of these dates, workers plan to walk off in two four hour blocks, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Local travel advisories warn that the highest risk of disruption will be at Terminal 4, the main base for Iberia and a key hub for long haul services connecting Europe with the Americas and other regions.

The industrial action in Madrid is expected to hit airlines within the IAG family hardest, including Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus and Vueling. Travelers on these carriers may see check in and boarding queues build quickly during the strike windows, while baggage handling and aircraft turnaround times could lengthen.

Some airlines have issued flexible rebooking policies for affected dates, allowing passengers to move their trips to alternative days or times within a limited window without paying change fees.

Aviation analysts note that even if flight cancellations remain relatively limited, the cumulative effect of slower ground services in Madrid can have a cascading impact on connecting itineraries. Missed onward flights, misrouted baggage and knock on delays to later departures are all possible outcomes when a major hub experiences sustained constraints on its ground handling capacity.

Portugal’s airport workers press ahead with multi month strike wave

Across the border in Portugal, travelers are facing their own set of challenges as airport service personnel engage in an extended campaign of industrial action that spans the autumn and winter months and runs into early January.

The walkouts involve staff at SPdH/Menzies, a key ground handling provider at Portuguese airports, and have been called by several unions, including SIMA and the Transport Union, over pay levels, working conditions and job security amid a tender process for future handling licenses.

The strike calendar in Portugal is unusually dense, with a total of 76 days of industrial action scheduled between early September and 2 January. The stoppages are concentrated around weekends and peak travel periods, including the Christmas and New Year holidays, in order to maximize leverage.

A major strike running from 19 December through 2 January covers most of the festive season, prompting warnings from travel agencies and airlines about potential disruption.

Portugal’s Arbitration Court has ordered that minimum services be maintained throughout the strike period, requiring full handling for domestic flights between the mainland and island regions and a baseline of international operations.

This legal requirement has limited the scale of outright cancellations, but unions argue that it also blunts the effectiveness of their strike, forcing them to maintain a large share of normal activity while still trying to highlight their grievances.

For passengers, the practical effect has been an elevated risk of delays at Portuguese airports such as Lisbon, Porto and Faro rather than widespread shutdowns. Ground handling bottlenecks can emerge at check in, boarding, baggage loading and unloading, and aircraft servicing.

At the same time, the presence of minimum service orders means that many flights will still operate, but not always according to the published schedule.

New Year travel in Portugal threatened by additional walkouts

The final phase of the Portuguese strike campaign coincides with New Year travel, a period when airports typically see heavy flows of holidaymakers and returning expatriates.

Unions representing SPdH/Menzies workers have called specific walkouts on 31 December and 1 January at multiple Portuguese airports, in addition to the broader multi day strikes already in place at the end of December.

Portugal’s arbitration court has again intervened to ensure minimum services during these walkouts, specifying that handling for state, military, emergency, humanitarian and rescue flights must be maintained, along with at least one flight to each of the autonomous island regions and all operations deemed essential for safety. Nonetheless, airlines are warning that commercial flights around the turn of the year may experience knock on delays and longer handling times.

The unions say their immediate concern is the future of thousands of workers whose jobs may be affected by the outcome of the ongoing tender for ground handling licenses.

They argue that political authorities and aviation regulators have not provided sufficient written guarantees on job protection, wage levels and the preservation of existing benefits. Until those issues are resolved, labor representatives have signaled that they are prepared to continue or resume industrial action, keeping pressure on employers and the government.

For travelers, this means that even as the official strike calendar runs its course into early January, labor tensions at Portuguese airports could persist well into 2026.

Travel consultants recommend that anyone planning flights around the New Year build in additional buffer time for connections, consider earlier departures in the day where possible, and stay alert to updates from their airline about schedule adjustments or voluntary rebooking options.

Why workers in Spain and Portugal are striking now

The current wave of strike action at Spanish and Portuguese airports reflects deeper structural tensions in the ground handling sector. Across Europe, many airport support services have been outsourced to specialized companies that operate under tight commercial margins and often rely on relatively low paid, shift based workforces. Inflation, rising living costs and lingering pressures from the pandemic era have intensified disputes over pay and conditions.

In Spain, Azul Handling workers highlight issues such as variable schedules, staffing levels and performance related bonuses, arguing that these do not adequately reflect the intensity and responsibility of their work.

At Madrid Barajas, ground staff at South Europe Ground Services are challenging management over what they describe as precarious contracts and a perceived lack of meaningful dialogue around job security and workload. Unions maintain that service quality at airports is directly linked to the stability and morale of ground employees.

Portuguese unions at SPdH/Menzies have framed their strike in the context of a major retendering of ground handling licenses, which they fear could lead to job losses, reduced benefits or the erosion of long standing workplace rights. They also point to disputes over wage scales, the payment of night and weekend differentials, and the use of temporary staff.

Previous strikes at other Portuguese handlers, including Portway, and the broader general strike on 11 December have underscored a wider climate of labor unrest in the country.

Airlines and handling companies counter that they operate in a highly competitive market with tight cost pressures, particularly from low cost carriers and volatile fuel and infrastructure fees. They argue that significant wage hikes or new benefits must be carefully balanced against the need to keep fares affordable and ensure long term financial viability.

Negotiations between management and unions are continuing in both Spain and Portugal, but so far without a breakthrough that would end the disruptions before the conclusion of the current strike calendars.

How travelers are being affected at Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga

For passengers passing through Spanish hubs such as Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga in late December, the most immediate impacts of the strikes are visible on the ground rather than in the sky.

Reports from these airports in recent weeks have highlighted longer lines at check in counters, self service bag drops and security checkpoints, especially in the morning and evening peak periods when walkouts are scheduled.

At Barcelona El Prat, Ryanair customers have been particularly exposed to baggage handling delays, sometimes waiting longer than usual for checked luggage to appear on carousels after arrival.

Pre departure processes such as document checks and boarding have also slowed at times when staffing levels fall during strike windows. Travelers are being advised to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure for short haul flights and even earlier for long haul connections.

In Madrid, the combination of national Azul Handling strikes and local action by South Europe Ground Services has created a complex operating environment. Terminal 4, which serves as Iberia’s main hub, has seen periodic surges in queues and operational bottlenecks during the designated strike blocks.

While many flights still depart, they can do so behind schedule, which is particularly problematic for passengers connecting onward to long haul services.

Malaga, a key gateway for holidaymakers heading to Spain’s Costa del Sol, has also been affected, with airlines warning of potential delays in baggage delivery and extended processing times at departure.

Travel agents in key source markets, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Scandinavia, have been alerting customers to the situation and encouraging flexible planning, including the possibility of carrying essential items in hand luggage in case checked bags are delayed.

What airlines and airports are advising passengers

As the strikes continue, airlines operating in Spain and Portugal are issuing a steady stream of advisories to passengers, often updated in the days before each new phase of industrial action.

Carriers are urging travelers to check the status of their flights regularly, use airline apps or online tools to complete check in as early as permitted, and arrive at the airport well in advance of departure to account for slower processing.

Some airlines, particularly those most exposed to the ground handling disputes, have introduced temporary flexibility policies for affected dates. These can include the option to rebook to a different flight on the same route within a specified time window, change the routing to avoid particularly hard hit airports, or in some cases request a refund if a flight is significantly disrupted.

The precise options vary by carrier and fare type, and passengers are being encouraged to read the conditions carefully or contact customer service for clarification.

Airport operators in both Spain and Portugal are also communicating through social and traditional media, advising passengers to allow extra time for their journeys, especially during the known strike windows. They stress that key safety and security functions remain fully staffed and that minimum service requirements are in place, but acknowledge that non critical processes can be slower than usual.

Travelers with reduced mobility or special assistance needs are being urged to notify airlines well in advance so that support can be coordinated despite staffing constraints.

Travel insurance providers, meanwhile, are fielding increased queries about coverage for delays and missed connections related to strikes. Policies differ widely in how they treat industrial action, with some offering compensation for additional accommodation or alternative travel arrangements and others excluding strike related disruptions.

Experts recommend that passengers review their policy documents carefully and consider upgrading coverage if they expect to travel frequently through strike affected airports in the coming weeks.

FAQ

Q1. Which Spanish airports are currently most affected by ground handling strikes?
Barcelona El Prat, Madrid Barajas and Malaga are among a group of airports facing ongoing walkouts by ground handling staff, alongside Alicante, Girona, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Tenerife South and Valencia. The impact at each airport varies by day and time, but all may see slower check in and baggage services during strike windows.

Q2. How long will the strikes in Spain last?
The current wave of strikes by Azul Handling staff is scheduled to continue through 31 December, with walkouts on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in set time blocks. At Madrid Barajas, additional targeted strikes by South Europe Ground Services staff are planned on 23, 26 and 30 December and 2 and 7 January, extending disruption risk into the first week of the new year.

Q3. What is happening at Portuguese airports over the holiday period?
In Portugal, airport ground handling staff with SPdH/Menzies are in the midst of a multi month strike campaign that includes numerous dates in December and early January. A major strike period covers much of the Christmas and New Year season, with further specific walkouts on 31 December and 1 January. Minimum service rules require that many flights still operate, but delays and long queues are likely.

Q4. Are flights being cancelled or mainly delayed?
So far, the combination of minimum service orders in Portugal and attempts by Spanish authorities and airlines to maintain operations means that many flights continue to operate, though often with delays. Some cancellations do occur, particularly on the busiest strike days or where airlines consolidate services, but the more common experience for passengers has been longer processing times and late departures.

Q5. Which airlines are most exposed to the current strikes?
Ryanair passengers are particularly affected by the Azul Handling strikes in Spain, as the company is the carrier’s primary ground services provider at many airports. In Madrid, airlines in the IAG group, including Iberia, British Airways, Aer Lingus and Vueling, face elevated risk from the South Europe Ground Services walkouts. In Portugal, several carriers that rely on SPdH/Menzies, including TAP Air Portugal on certain routes, can be impacted by staffing shortages.

Q6. What can travelers do to minimize disruption?
Travelers are advised to check in online as early as possible, arrive at the airport well ahead of their scheduled departure time, and allow extra buffer time for connections. Keeping essential items and a change of clothes in hand luggage can help if checked bags are delayed. It is also important to monitor airline communications closely, as carriers may offer rebooking options or updated guidance as strike dates approach.

Q7. Will minimum service rules in Portugal prevent serious disruption?
Minimum service orders in Portugal are designed to protect essential connectivity and safety, ensuring that key domestic links and a portion of international flights continue. They do not, however, guarantee normal operations. Passengers can still experience long queues, slower baggage handling and schedule changes even when flights are not cancelled outright, particularly at peak times and on popular holiday routes.

Q8. How are these strikes different from the recent general strike in Portugal?
The ongoing airport strikes in Portugal are sector specific actions by ground handling staff targeting working conditions at SPdH/Menzies and the outcome of handling license tenders. The nationwide general strike on 11 December was a broader protest organized by major union federations against the government’s labor package, affecting multiple sectors from transport to public services for a single day.

Q9. Are security checks also affected, or only baggage and ground services?
The primary focus of the current disputes is on ground handling functions such as check in, baggage processing and aircraft turnaround. Security screening is typically operated under separate contracts or directly by state agencies and is subject to its own staffing rules. However, knock on congestion created by slower baggage and boarding procedures can contribute to longer overall journey times through the terminal, including at security checkpoints.

Q10. Should travelers consider changing their plans to avoid Spain and Portugal?
Most travel experts suggest that outright cancellation is not necessary for the majority of travelers, as flights are largely continuing to operate. Instead, passengers should prepare for a less predictable airport experience, with extra time built into their plans and flexibility where possible on travel dates and routing. Those with very tight schedules, important same day connections or limited mobility may wish to discuss alternatives with their airline or travel agent if they are due to travel on the most heavily affected strike dates.