Ryanair Faces Spain Airport Strike Disruptions from Mid-August to December 2025

Strikes Threaten Travel Plans for Thousands of Passengers

Ground handlers at Azul Handling will strike from 15 August 2025, affecting Ryanair flights at major Spanish airports until year’s end. Walkouts will occur 15, 16, 17 August, then every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 31 December.

Strikes will happen 05:00-09:00, 12:00-15:00, and 21:00-23:59, potentially causing widespread delays and cancellations for many passengers.

Popular Destinations Affected Across Spain

Affected airports include Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, Palma, Tenerife South, Lanzarote, Girona, Seville, and Santiago de Compostela. Passengers should check Ryanair flight status before traveling to avoid delays or last-minute cancellations caused by strike action.

Ryanair claims operations will continue as normal, but repeated strikes at busy airports may cause delays across its network.

Union Cites Poor Working Conditions as the Cause

The General Union of Workers accuses Azul Handling of breaching labour rights and forcing excessive hours on staff without flexibility. Union leaders say permanent part-timers face unstable hours, excessive discipline, and non-compliance with agreements on pay and medical leave.

UGT demands Azul withdraw sanctions, respect labour laws, and improve working conditions for over 3,000 employees nationwide.

Wider Tensions in Spain’s Tourism and Travel Sector

Strikes coincide with broader unrest in Spain, including hospitality protests in the Balearics over pay and living conditions. Tourism workers say rising living costs make local housing unaffordable, sparking anti-tourism protests and heated demonstrations in key destinations.

Industry leaders warn prolonged unrest could harm Spain’s reputation as a top travel destination, urging dialogue to resolve disputes.