Spain: Airport staff postpone nationwide strikes /update 1

Event

On Wednesday, August 30, three unions representing airport staff at the companies Aena (airport management) and Enaire (air traffic control) announced they were postponing a series of strikes originally slated to launch on September 15 as a gesture of goodwill to the government during negotiations. The next round of negotiations will take place on Thursday, September 7. While the strike is currently called off, there remains the possibility of renewed action should talks fail.

Context

The unions had threatened to stage 25 days of strikes between September 15 and December 30. The planned strike days were September 15, 17, 22, 24, and 29; October 1, 6, 11, 15, 27, 30, and 31; November 3 and 5; and December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30.

Spanish authorities raised concerns about the impact of strikes and protests on tourism this year following actions at Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD) and Barcelona-El Prat International Airport (BCN). Moreover, a far-left group, Arran, has carried out a series of protests against mass-tourism in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, claiming it encourages the proliferation of seasonal, impermanent jobs and causes serious environmental damage.

Advice

In light of the August 30 announcement, travelers should anticipate normal flight operations on the above days, but monitor developments to the situation and contact their airlines with any further questions.