Published on
December 24, 2025
Iberia, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Ryanair, Air France, EasyJet and More Airlines Hit Hard as Ground-Handling Staff Strike in Spain Delays Five Hundred and One Flights and Cancels Nineteen at Barcelona, Madrid, Tenerife, and Others due to ongoing walkouts by ground-handling staff working for Ryanair’s contractor, Azul Handling. The strike, which began in December and is set to continue until the end of the month, has caused widespread disruptions across Spain’s busiest airports, including Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, and Tenerife North. These walkouts, aimed at securing better pay and working conditions for staff, have led to significant delays and cancellations, leaving travelers stranded and scrambling to find alternative routes during the busy holiday season.
Spain’s airports have been thrown into chaos as ground-handling staff, working for Ryanair’s contractor Azul Handling, have been staging strikes throughout December. The walkouts, which are set to continue until December 31, have already led to significant disruptions. In total, 501 flights have been delayed, and 19 flights were cancelled across some of Spain’s busiest airports, including Madrid-Barajas (MAD), Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), and Tenerife North (TFN). Airlines like Iberia, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Air France, and EasyJet have felt the brunt of these disruptions, as the strike has left passengers stranded and scrambling.
The strikes, affecting both baggage handling and aircraft turnaround services, are causing long queues, missed connections, and severe delays. Travelers are advised to prepare for extended wait times at check-in counters, baggage reclaim areas, and flight departure gates.
The Root Cause: Azul Handling Strikes
The ongoing ground-handling strikes stem from labor disputes with Azul Handling, the company responsible for providing ground services to a variety of airlines at major airports in Spain. These include key carriers like Ryanair, Iberia, British Airways, and others.
The workers have been demanding higher wages, better working conditions, and improved scheduling. The strikes began as a rolling series of protests in mid-December and have since escalated into larger-scale disruptions, primarily affecting services at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, and Tenerife North airports.
Impact on Major Spanish Airports
The impact of the strike has been felt across Spain’s major airports. Travelers flying out of Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, and Tenerife North have faced substantial delays, with more scheduled throughout the remainder of the month.
Madrid-Barajas (MAD)
- Flights Cancelled: 7 (1%)
- Flights Delayed: 113 (17%)
Madrid-Barajas has been one of the worst-hit airports, with more than a hundred flights delayed. Passengers have reported waiting in long queues, especially at check-in counters and baggage claim areas.
Barcelona-El Prat (BCN)
- Flights Cancelled: 2 (0%)
- Flights Delayed: 67 (14%)
At Barcelona-El Prat, a similar situation unfolded with significant delays across a range of international and domestic flights. The airport, already bustling with holiday travelers, is seeing a ripple effect, as delays at Barcelona have affected connections to other European hubs.
Tenerife North (TFN)
- Flights Cancelled: 2 (1%)
- Flights Delayed: 37 (25%)
At Tenerife North, the delay rate reached 25%, making it one of the hardest-hit airports. Airlines, particularly those servicing the island, have struggled to manage the added pressure of delays and cancellations.
Airlines Affected by the Strike
The strikes have not spared even the largest international airlines. Both Spanish domestic carriers and international airlines have seen major disruptions.
Iberia
- Flights Cancelled: 8 (2%)
- Flights Delayed: 38 (13%)
Iberia, Spain’s flagship airline, has been significantly affected, with numerous delays. As one of the largest carriers in the region, the airline relies heavily on Azul Handling for ground services, leaving Iberia’s operations vulnerable to the strikes.
Ryanair
- Flights Cancelled: 23 (23%)
- Flights Delayed: 23 (23%)
Ryanair, in particular, has been hit hard, given that it relies heavily on Azul Handling’s ground staff. The low-cost carrier’s flights, both domestic and international, have been experiencing delays and cancellations at multiple Spanish airports. Ryanair has issued a statement encouraging passengers to travel light and arrive early.
Lufthansa
- Flights Cancelled: 0
- Flights Delayed: 2 (14%)
While Lufthansa has experienced fewer cancellations, delays have still been a common issue. Many Lufthansa flights have been delayed by up to several hours due to the strike-related staffing shortages at Spanish airports.
Air Canada
- Flights Cancelled: 0
- Flights Delayed: 1 (100%)
Although Air Canada had only one flight affected, it was the only flight of the day out of Spain, leaving passengers stranded. Due to the ground-handling issues, the flight was delayed for several hours.
Air France
- Flights Cancelled: 1
- Flights Delayed: 1 (12%)
Air France, with significant operations in Spain, has also experienced some disruptions. Passengers bound for Paris from Spanish airports faced delays, while others had their flights cancelled altogether.
EasyJet
- Flights Cancelled: 3 (17%)
- Flights Delayed: 3 (17%)
EasyJet, another prominent carrier in Spain, has seen multiple cancellations. With a high number of holiday season travelers looking to visit Spain, the airline has issued an apology for the delays.
British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Other Airlines
Other carriers like British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Vueling have also been impacted, though not as severely as the others. The delays and cancellations still represent a significant inconvenience for travelers, many of whom are connecting to other long-haul flights.
What You Need to Know if You’re Traveling
- Arrive Early: Passengers traveling through Spain during this period should plan to arrive at least 3-4 hours before their scheduled departure to account for long queues.
- Travel Light: Where possible, travelers should consider carry-on luggage only to avoid the baggage delays associated with the ongoing strike.
- Stay Updated: It is essential to stay informed about your flight’s status through your airline’s website or mobile app. Most airlines are providing updates on cancellations and delays as quickly as possible.
- Know Your Rights: Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers may be entitled to compensation for delays longer than three hours or cancellations without reasonable notice. However, as the strikes are outside the airlines’ control, this could complicate the claims process.
Impact on Tourism and Local Economy
The strike has come at a particularly difficult time, as Spain is in the midst of a holiday travel rush. With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, the country’s tourism industry has already been under pressure due to the high number of tourists visiting for the festive season. The strikes are likely to affect Spain’s economy, especially in terms of tourism revenue, as many flights are delayed or cancelled.
Many tourists, both inbound and outbound, will now be facing altered travel plans, forcing them to find alternative routes or rebook their tickets for later flights.
Flight Disruptions Summary
Here’s a summary table detailing the flight cancellations and delays across the affected airlines:
Looking Ahead
The situation in Spain is unlikely to improve until December 31, with targeted strike days planned for January 2026. Travelers should prepare for the possibility of more cancellations and delays, and it’s advisable to keep in contact with your airline for the latest updates on flight statuses.
Iberia, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Ryanair, Air France, EasyJet and More Airlines Hit Hard as Ground-Handling Staff Strike in Spain Delays Five Hundred and One Flights and Cancels Nineteen at Barcelona, Madrid, Tenerife, and Others due to ongoing strikes by ground-handling staff employed by Ryanair’s contractor, Azul Handling. These walkouts, fueled by labor disputes over pay and working conditions, have caused major disruptions at Spain’s busiest airports during the peak holiday season.
The ongoing ground-handling strikes in Spain are wreaking havoc on the travel plans of thousands of passengers, especially during the peak holiday season. Airlines such as Iberia, Ryanair, Lufthansa, and EasyJet have been the most affected, with delays and cancellations affecting flights to and from Spain’s busiest airports. Passengers traveling during this period should remain flexible, check updates frequently, and plan accordingly to minimize disruptions.
