Ryanair Baggage Handlers Announce Nationwide Strike In Spain

Ground handling staff employed by Azul Handling, the contractor servicing Ryanair flights in Spain, have announced a nationwide strike beginning August 15, 2025. The strike threatens months of disruption at 12 major Spanish airports.

The strike—organized by Spain’s UGT and CGT unions—will begin with a three-day walkout from August 15 to 17, and continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 31, 2025. The affected airports include major travel hubs such as Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona El Prat, Málaga, Alicante, Seville, Valencia, and popular holiday destinations like Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife South, and Lanzarote.

Workers allege unfair labor practices by Azul Handling, including forced overtime, punitive sanctions, lack of job stability, and failure to respect leave allowances and bonuses. The unions demand improved working conditions, an end to disciplinary measures, and compliance with existing agreements.

Strike action will target peak operating hours daily: 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, and 21:00–23:59. It could lead to serious baggage handling, boarding, and aircraft turnaround disruptions.

While Ryanair has stated that it does not anticipate major disruptions, Azul Handling is responsible for servicing around 500 Ryanair flights daily across 27 Spanish airports, making operational delays and flight cancellations likely—particularly during peak holiday weekends.

Travelers flying through Spain on Ryanair over the coming months are advised to monitor their flight status, arrive early at airports, and be aware of their EU 261/2004 compensation rights in case of long delays or cancellations. Passengers may still be entitled to compensation unless the airline can prove the disruption was due to extraordinary circumstances.

The unions have filed for mediation through Spain’s Servicio Interconfederal de Mediación y Arbitraje (SIMA), but no agreement has been reached. Should talks fail, union leaders have warned that the action may escalate further in scope.

Recently, a tsunami across the Pacific led to cancelled flights in Hawaii.

Cover photo by Roman Rezor on Unsplash.