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Groundforce Strike Disrupts Spanish Airports as Baggage Failures Mount

Unions cite unpaid inflation-linked raises alongside violations of a labor deal, warning stoppages now threaten Easter travel.

Overview

  • Groundforce’s indefinite walkouts, which Aena confirms run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in three blocks from 5–7am, 11am–5pm and 10pm–midnight, are active across a dozen major airports.
  • Following Wednesday’s walkouts, unions reported more than 40 departures left without checked bags and said thousands of suitcases were delayed or not loaded.
  • UGT alleges Groundforce has opened disciplinary cases against striking staff in the Canary Islands to discourage participation.
  • Madrid and Barcelona saw long queues, delayed check-in and baggage pileups, with Barcelona recording eight cancellations, while Palma and Ibiza reported only isolated delays.
  • Menzies Aviation reached a deal with unions and canceled a separate strike planned for April 2–6, reducing but not removing ground-handling strain during Holy Week.