Prepare for 76 days of flight disruptions if you're flying Ryanair in Spain; here's essential information you should be aware of.
In the midst of summer travel season, passengers planning to fly with Ryanair in Spain are facing potential delays due to a rolling strike by Azul Handling staff. This strike, which began on August 15, 2025, is set to continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the end of December 2025 at major Spanish airports.
The affected airports include Alicante, Barcelona, Girona, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Tenerife South, and Valencia.
The strike primarily affects baggage handling and ground services during key time slots, causing potential delays in baggage check-in and longer waiting times at airports. As a result, Ryanair flight operations across 12 Spanish bases are experiencing disruptions.
Despite these challenges, no widespread cancellations have been confirmed yet, partly due to legal minimum service rules during strikes in Spain that restrict full walkouts. However, passengers should expect more faff and longer queues than usual, and the odd cancellation, during the next few months.
The unions representing the Azul Handling staff are protesting against what they describe as persistent breaches of labor rights, precarious working conditions, and demanding better pay and work conditions.
To help minimize queues during the strike, passengers are advised to travel light, carrying only carry-on luggage, check in online, and download the Ryanair app. Arriving earlier than usual at the airport and preparing for potential delays, especially with baggage handling and security checks, is also recommended.
Passengers should turn up earlier than usual, especially at Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, and Palma, and head straight to security after dropping a bag. If a flight is cancelled, passengers are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004 and are entitled to a refund or rerouting, as well as compensation depending on the route length, unless the airline can show extraordinary circumstances.
If connecting on separate tickets, passengers should give themselves serious padding or rethink the plan, as aircraft delays at strike-hit bases may cause delays in other airports not directly affected by the strike.
Longer-term solutions would require successful negotiation between Azul Handling management and unions to address workers’ demands and prevent further strikes; no definitive resolution has been reported yet. The unions have asked Spain's SIMA mediation service to step in, but until further notice, passengers should plan as if the strike dates are going ahead.
Two weekends, specifically August 30-31, and the mid-October puente, are particularly large in terms of potential disruptions. During the strike, passengers may experience longer queues at bag-drop and slower boarding due to fewer staff on the ground. Aircraft may sit on stand waiting for ground equipment or crews to free up, causing delays in schedules.
Passengers should nudge their departure time outside the strike windows to avoid potential disruptions, if possible. If a flight is re-timed, passengers should accept the change promptly to avoid being left at the back of the queue.
Strike action by a third-party ground handler is a grey area, but passengers should still receive care - meals, hotels, and transport as needed. During the run-up to Christmas and New Year's Eve, the strike will also pose a threat to smooth travel.
In summary, the rolling strike by Azul Handling staff is causing ongoing disruptions and delays to Ryanair flights through the end of 2025, particularly during key daily time slots. Passengers should plan accordingly, and resolution depends on labor negotiations addressing workers’ demands for improved conditions.
- The unrest by Azul Handling staff has led to an inconvenient travel lifestyle for Ryanair passengers, as strikes will continue to affect major Spanish airports, causing baggage delays and longer waiting times.
- Travellers are encouraged to adapt their vacation plans and consider adopting a minimalist travel approach, such as carrying only carry-on luggage, to help cope with potential delays due to the ongoing strike impacting Ryanair's Spanish operations this summer and fall season.
