Ryanair Spain Flight Disruptions: Extended Strike Action Threatens Travel Plans Through 2025
Extended Strike Action at Spanish Airports
Holidaymakers and travellers flying with Ryanair to and from Spain are facing potential disruptions as the company’s baggage handlers have announced a prolonged period of industrial action from August 15th until December 2025.
The strike action has been called by UGT at Azul Handling in response to what they describe as ‘constant breaches of labour rights’ by the Ryanair group. The union’s primary concerns include the lack of stable jobs and issues with working hours for permanent part-time staff.
Strike Schedule and Affected Airports
The strike action began with three initial days of protests on August 15, 16, and 17, and will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 31, 2025. The walkouts are strategically timed during three daily periods: from 05:00 to 09:00, from 12:00 to 15:00, and from 21:00 to 23:59.
The industrial action directly impacts Ryanair’s 12 Spanish bases: Alicante, Barcelona, Girona, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Madrid, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Sevilla, Tenerife South, and Valencia. Additionally, airports without fixed Ryanair bases, such as Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Menorca, and Santander, may experience knock-on delays and cancellations due to disrupted schedules.
Passenger Rights and Airline Response
While passengers will not receive financial compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, they remain entitled to refunds, rerouting, and basic care during delays.
The situation presents a conflicting picture for travellers. While unions have called the strike to cause significant disruption to operations, Ryanair has stated that it does not anticipate any impact on its flights.
Travellers affected by cancellations are entitled to a full refund of their ticket or an alternative flight to their final destination. Airlines must also provide care, including meals, drinks, and, if necessary, overnight accommodation. These obligations remain binding even if strikes are considered extraordinary causes.
