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Spain and Portugal Airport Strikes Snarl Travel

Busy check-in hall at LIS with paused baggage-drop lanes during Spain and Portugal airport strikes, long lines forming near airline counters.
by
4 min read

A summer of industrial action is set to hit two of Europe's busiest holiday corridors. From August 15, more than 3,000 Azul Handling ground staff who serve Ryanair will stage rolling walkouts across Spanish bases, while in Portugal, SPdH, Menzies Aviation workers are striking every Friday through Monday until September 1. Expect baggage delays, sporadic check-in closures, and schedule knock-ons at hubs including Madrid-Barajas (MAD), Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), and Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS).

Key Points

  • Why it matters: Parallel actions in Spain and Portugal raise the risk of multi-country disruption for Iberia-bound itineraries.
  • Travel impact: Peak-hour stoppages could slow check-in, boarding, and baggage at MAD, BCN, LIS, FAO, FNC, and PDL.
  • What's next: Spain walkouts repeat every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 31. Portugal's run through September 1.
  • Azul Handling strikes run in three daily blocks, 500-900, 1200-1500, and 2100-2359 local time.
  • Portuguese strikes have court-mandated minimum services, so effects vary by airport and carrier.

Snapshot

Spain's action targets Azul Handling, the Ryanair affiliate that provides check-in, ramp, and cabin services nationwide. After an initial August 15-17 launch, stoppages continue weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, confined to three peak operating windows each day. Unions cite sanctions against staff and work-rule violations. Ryanair says it expects limited impact, but delays are possible. See the union's strike bulletin for exact hours. FeSMC-UGT strike notice.

Background

Portugal's walkouts involve SPdH, Menzies Aviation, formerly Groundforce, with four-day stoppages running from 1200 a.m. Friday through 1159 p.m. Monday on successive weekends, culminating September 1. Airports most exposed include Lisbon (LIS), Faro (FAO), Funchal Madeira (FNC), and Azores gateways such as Ponta Delgada João Paulo II (PDL). An arbitration tribunal has imposed minimum service levels to keep some flights moving. Travelers have already reported baggage delays during July's first strike period. SIC Notícias on minimum services.

Latest Developments

Spain: Azul Handling walkouts begin August 15

The UGT union's call covers all Azul Handling bases that support Ryanair across Spain, including airports such as Madrid-Barajas (MAD), Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), Málaga-Costa del Sol (AGP), Seville (SVQ), Palma de Mallorca (PMI), and Ibiza (IBZ). The schedule launches August 15-17, then repeats every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 31 in three time blocks, 500-900, 1200-1500, and 2100-2359. Travelers should monitor airline apps for re-timings around those windows. RTVE overview.

Portugal: Weekend strikes continue through September 1

SPdH, Menzies walkouts hit consecutive long weekends, August 8-11, August 15-18, August 22-25, and August 29-September 1. Expect the greatest pressure at Lisbon (LIS), where staffing density is highest, with ripple effects at Faro (FAO), Funchal Madeira (FNC), and Ponta Delgada (PDL). Minimum-service rules may protect some flights, but check-in and baggage handling can still slow considerably, especially on Saturday afternoons. Expresso dates and guidance.

Analysis

Parallel strikes on either side of the Iberian Peninsula raise a practical risk that a delay leaving Spain could cascade into a missed connection in Portugal, or vice versa. Spain's action is precision-timed to the busiest airport waves, which magnifies queue times even if most flights operate. Portugal's four-day blocks concentrate disruption over peak weekend leisure traffic, especially at Lisbon. For risk control, avoid tight connections between Spanish and Portuguese sectors in August and consider hand-carry only, since delayed bags are the most common pain point in ground-handling disputes. Build extra time at Madrid-Barajas (MAD), Barcelona-El Prat (BCN), and Lisbon (LIS), and track your flight status in airline apps beginning 24 hours before departure. For Portugal-specific planning tips and carrier notices, see our prior coverage on weekend stoppages at SPdH, Menzies. Portugal Airport Ground Handling Strike Hits August Weekends.

Final Thoughts

If you are bound for Iberia in late August, plan for friction at the airport rather than flight cancellations. The most effective mitigations are early arrival, carry-on only if possible, and flexible rebooking options for Sunday evening returns. Keep a close eye on the published strike windows and check your airline's alerts before leaving for the airport. With realistic buffers, you can still execute your trip despite the Spain and Portugal airport strikes.

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