Britons traveling to Spain are being cautioned about significant disruptions at the country’s largest airport, where passengers are encountering security wait times of up to 90 minutes.
The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport in Spain initiated strike action on Sunday, leading to chaotic scenes with long queues reported by unions as the strike remains ongoing. Images circulating online depict crowded areas and congested baggage lanes, with reports indicating that lines have become unmanageable.
Passengers have expressed frustration at the situation, highlighting the extensive queues at Terminal 4. The strike, undertaken by approximately 800 passenger control staff managed by the Trablisa company, began due to failed negotiations regarding improved working conditions.
The workers argue that their workload is overwhelming and are demanding better salaries and specific compensation for their services. They are requesting equal conditions to those at other Spanish airports, including additional bonuses for working in critical security roles at the airport.
The delays at Madrid airport are affecting all terminals, including both standard and fast-track security access points. The waiting times on Sunday morning reached around 95 minutes, significantly longer than the usual ten-minute wait.
AENA, the Spanish airport authority, has issued warnings to travelers about potential delays and has deployed additional staff to redirect passengers to less congested terminals. AENA apologized for the inconvenience caused by the strike action at Madrid-Barajas Airport.
This strike in Madrid is just one of several aviation-related disruptions taking place this month across Europe. In Italy, airport handling staff at Milan Linate and Milano Malpensa Airport are planning a 24-hour strike on September 26. Similarly, security staff at Cagliari Elmas Airport are set to strike on the same day.
In France, air traffic controllers are also planning a strike in September, which is expected to impact flights over the country and cause widespread disruptions. Moreover, airports in Spain will face strikes by Azul Handling baggage staff, affecting various key airports in the country.
These labor actions across Europe are expected to lead to significant travel disruptions for passengers throughout the month.