A massive strike by Ryanair’s ground staff is threatening to significantly disrupt air traffic in Spain for the remainder of the year. Work stoppages are planned for 22 days from mid-August to the end of December, potentially affecting thousands of passengers. We explain how to find out if your flight is affected and what claims you can make.
What is the Reason for the Ryanair Strike?
The labor dispute between the Spanish trade unions UGT and CGT and the company Azul Handling, a subsidiary of Ryanair responsible for ground handling services, has led to this extensive strike call. The industrial action will affect all twelve of the Irish airline’s operational bases in Spain.
Affected Airports:
- Madrid (MAD)
- Barcelona (BCN)
- Valencia (VLC)
- Seville (SVQ)
- Málaga (AGP)
- Alicante (ALC)
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
- Ibiza (IBZ)
- Girona (GRO)
- Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
- Tenerife South (TFS)
- Lanzarote (ACE)
These are the Strike Dates
The strike will begin from August 15 to 17 at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, a weekend already expecting high passenger traffic due to the public holiday on August 15. Subsequently, the strike will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 31. These dates coincide with some of the busiest travel periods of the year, massively increasing the risk of delays, cancellations, and baggage problems.
How Do I Know if My Flight is Affected?
If your flight is affected by the strike action, whether through cancellation or a significant delay, Ryanair is obliged to inform you. Typically, you will receive a notification to the email address you provided during booking.
Additionally, you can proactively check your flight’s status at any time on the airline’s website. To do so, visit the “Travel Updates“ section. There, after entering your flight details (departure and destination cities or flight number and date), you will find the most current information about your flight.
Am I Entitled to Compensation During a Strike?
Even during a strike, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation. Legal experts from Flightright, a platform specializing in air passenger rights, point out that the airline is not automatically absolved of its responsibility.
“Strikes by handling staff can be considered an extraordinary circumstance under EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, but only under certain conditions. If the airline was aware of the strike in advance and did not take reasonable measures to prevent the disruption, passengers may still be entitled to compensation,” explains Lucía Cegarra, a legal expert at Flightright.
You are entitled to up to €600 under these conditions:
- Your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the scheduled departure.
- Your flight is delayed by more than three hours upon arrival at your destination.
- You are denied boarding without a valid reason or adequate assistance.
Lucía Cegarra adds: “The Ryanair case is complex because Azul Handling operates as a subsidiary with operational autonomy. Therefore, it is crucial to assess each situation individually.” It is strongly recommended to document all incidents carefully. Keep emails, receipts for expenses, photos of display boards, and notes on waiting times. This evidence is crucial for successfully asserting your rights.
