Indefinite Air Traffic Control Strike in Spain From April 17 — 14 Airports Affected

Strike Begins Midnight April 17

An indefinite strike by air traffic controllers in SAERCO-managed towers begins at midnight on Friday 17 April 2026. The unions involved — USCA and CCOO — cite staff shortages, work overload and irregular schedules as their key grievances.

Which Airports Are Affected?

14 airports across Spain are affected:

Canary Islands

• Lanzarote
• Fuerteventura
• La Palma
• El Hierro
• La Gomera

Andalucía

• Sevilla
• Jerez (Cádiz)

Galicia

• Vigo
• A Coruña

Other Regions

• Cuatro Vientos (Madrid)
• Castellón-Costa Azahar (Valencia)
• Burgos
• Huesca
• Ciudad Real

Note: major hubs like Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona, Alicante and Málaga are not on the list as they are managed by a different provider. However, knock-on delays and disruption are always possible across the network.

Why Are They Striking?

Controllers report accumulated fatigue from "last-minute changes, on-call shifts and disregarding mandatory holidays." The unions describe an unstable work environment with cancellation of previously approved leave and lack of clarity around rest periods.

Negotiations have repeatedly broken down, with scheduled meetings postponed or cancelled.

What This Means for Travellers

Air traffic controller strikes affect all airlines at affected airports, resulting in:

• Fewer available flights
• Potential major delays
• Possible cancellations

Since these are classified as "extraordinary circumstances", airlines typically aren't obligated to pay passenger compensation — though rebooking or refunds remain required.

What Should You Do?

• Monitor your flight status 1–2 days before travel
• Avoid tight connections and arrive early
• Consider alternative flight times or routes
• Have backup plans — trains, alternative airports, flexible bookings
• Check your travel insurance covers strike-related disruption

This article is based on reporting from Euro Weekly News, published April 7, 2026. Strike dates and affected airports may change — always check with your airline for the latest information. This article is for informational purposes only.