What to Do in Spain if Your Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled Due to Strikes

Fresh Airport Strikes Hit Spain

More airport walkouts have begun across Spain, with 14 smaller airports now affected by industrial action. Spain's Air Traffic Controllers strike commenced on April 17th at midnight and impacts employees at Saerco across Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Castellón, Burgos, Huesca, Ciudad Real, Vigo, A Coruña, Jerez and Seville airports.

Union representatives state their demands "are not economic in nature" but rather seek "an increase in staffing levels to guarantee operational safety." These walkouts are indefinite until demands are met.

Groundforce Strikes at Major Airports

Simultaneously, Groundforce employees are conducting stoppages at some of Spain's busiest airports: Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Málaga, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Bilbao.

These strikes are scheduled indefinitely on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays across three time slots: 5–7am, 11am–5pm, and 10pm–midnight. They have already caused dozens of delays, extended queues, and baggage handling issues.

Your Rights Under EU Regulation 261/2004

If your flight is affected by these strikes, you have clear legal rights under EU law. Here's what you're entitled to:

Delayed Flights (2+ Hours)

A flight qualifies as delayed when the departure time exceeds the scheduled time by more than two hours, or arrival occurs three or more hours late. If your flight is delayed, you are entitled to:

• Information and assistance from the airline
• Food and beverages appropriate to the waiting time
• Two telephone calls or email access

For overnight delays, you are entitled to complimentary hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and hotel.

Extended Delays (5+ Hours)

If your flight is delayed by five hours or more, you have additional rights:

• You may refuse to travel and receive a full ticket refund within seven days
• If you continue travelling and arrive two or more hours late, compensation ranges from €125 to €600 depending on flight length and delay duration

Cancelled Flights

If your flight is cancelled near departure time, the airline must provide:

• Food, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if needed
• A full ticket refund within seven days
• Additional compensation based on flight distance, cancellation notice, and alternative flights offered

Important: Weather-related cancellations are exempt from compensation regulations. In those cases, you'll need to consult directly with your airline.

Practical Tips for Affected Travellers

• Arrive at affected airports early — queues are longer than usual
• Contact your airline beforehand to check if your flight is affected
• Carry only hand luggage if possible, to avoid baggage handler delays
• Keep all receipts for any unreimbursed expenses — you can claim these back from the airline later

This article is based on reporting from The Local Spain, published April 18, 2026. Strike schedules may change — always check directly with your airline and airport for the latest information.