Ryanair strike Spain starts, peak delays likely

Published on Aug 15, 2025, 11:03 am CDT

6 min read

Ryanair's ground-handling provider, Azul Handling, began rolling walkouts in Spain on August 15, targeting three daily windows through August 17, then recurring every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 31. Spain's Transport Ministry has imposed minimum-service levels to keep most flights operating, but travelers should expect bottlenecks at check-in, boarding, and baggage during strike hours. Early reports from Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) and other bases indicate limited initial impact, although unions warn delays could build across peak periods as operations stack up.

Key Points

Why it matters: Peak-season walkouts at Ryanair's Spanish bases threaten lines, missed connections, and baggage delays.
Travel impact: Three daily stoppage windows, with minimum-service rules reducing cancellations but not queuing.
What's next: After August 15 to 17, strikes repeat every Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun through December 31.
Airports most exposed include Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Valencia, Palma, and Alicante.
Duty of care applies under EU 261, while cash compensation depends on circumstances.

Snapshot

Azul Handling staff are striking August 15 to 17 in Spain during three windows, 500 to 900, 1200 to 1500, and 2100 to 2359. From August 20 onward, actions repeat every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 31. The Transport Ministry's minimum-service order protects large shares of traffic at major hubs, which is expected to cap cancellations but still leave travelers facing slow-moving lines, gate holds, and late baggage during the strike windows. Ryanair says it anticipates "no interruption" due to summer minimums, while unions accuse the company of over-protecting flights and undermining the walkouts. Local outlets report a calm start at several airports, with some short delays.

Background

The UGT union, backed in some locations by CGT, called the action after alleging sanctions against workers, forced extra hours, and noncompliance with sector agreements. Azul Handling services Ryanair group carriers at a network of Spanish airports, including both mainland and island markets crucial to summer travel. Spain's Transport Ministry established minimum-service levels by route type and airport to safeguard essential mobility, particularly to island territories. That legal framework typically keeps most flights running, although airport processes can slow as staffing thins during the strike windows. Under EU 261, airlines owe duty of care, such as meals and hotels when necessary, and must rebook or refund, though flat-rate compensation may not apply if authorities deem the disruption an extraordinary circumstance.

Latest Developments

Minimum-service levels at major hubs are high

Spain's official resolution sets protected-service percentages that vary by airport and month. Examples include Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) at 84 percent in August, Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) at 76 percent, and Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) at 85 percent, tapering slightly into autumn. The order covers lifeline routes to island territories at even stronger levels, and it remains in force through October 31, after which new minimums would be required if strikes continue. These thresholds explain the limited cancellations so far, even as peak-period queues and late baggage remain likely during each stoppage window. Travelers should build extra time for check-in and security and avoid tight connections within strike blocks.

Where and when delays are most likely

The initial strike runs August 15 to 17, 500 to 900, 1200 to 1500, and 2100 to 2359, then repeats every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 31. UGT's alerts and early coverage flag a dozen key airports, including Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), Valencia Airport (VLC), Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC), Seville Airport (SVQ), Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO), Tenerife South Airport (TFS), Lanzarote Airport (ACE), Ibiza Airport (IBZ), and Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ). Stoppages concentrate around morning departures, midday banks, and late-evening waves, which is when knock-on delays are most likely to spread across the network.

Early field reports show limited disruption, but queues forming

By late morning on August 15, Spanish media described a calm start with minor delays at some airports. In Málaga and other Andalusian airports, the first block passed with little incident, while Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport (ALC) saw some lines and short delays. Unions say the impact will accumulate at peak times as protected flights bunch operations inside and just after the stoppage windows. Ryanair maintains it expects no interruption due to strong summer minimums, a stance unions criticize as undermining the right to strike.

Europe Airport Strikes: Compensation and Re-Routing Guide for your EU 261 options. For dates and windows, see our primer, Ryanair Ground-Handling Strikes In Spain Start Friday.

Analysis

Expect delays to manifest in three ways. First, ground ops slowdowns create longer lines at check-in and bag drop during strike windows, then baggage delivery on arrival lags as teams catch up. Second, aircraft turn times stretch, so a flight leaving just before a window can still depart late, and tails scheduled to turn inside the window may push into later banks. Third, crew duty-time limits can force resequencing or swaps once delays cascade. Minimum-service protections will keep most flights on the board, particularly to island markets, but they do not erase bottlenecks. Travelers with tight connections inside the windows should proactively move to earlier departures or accept longer layovers. If a delay strands you overnight, EU 261 duty of care triggers, including hotels and meals. Cash compensation is case-specific; authorities often view third-party ground-handling strikes as extraordinary, but outcomes can vary, especially if an airline's own decisions worsen delays. Keeping receipts and documenting airline communications remains essential.

Final Thoughts

Spain's minimum-service rules mean this is a slow-down, not a shutdown, but peak-time friction is real. Fly outside strike windows if possible, check in online, and keep medications and valuables in your carry-on in case baggage lags. If misconnected, ask the airline for duty-of-care support and rebooking, then evaluate compensation later. With actions recurring through December 31, planning buffers into itineraries will pay off, especially at Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Valencia, Palma, and Alicante. Staying flexible is the best way to ride out the Ryanair strike Spain.