British travellers could face major travel disruption as air traffic controllers begin indefinite strikes at 14 Spanish airports from Friday, April 17
Robert Rowlands Deputy editor, money and lifestyle hub and Maria Ortega
05:04, 17 Apr 2026Updated 07:07, 17 Apr 2026
(Image: We-Ge via Getty Images)
British tourists are set to face travel disruption at key holiday airports. As many as 14 airports across sought-after destinations are facing industrial action starting Friday, April 17.
Air traffic controller unions have indicated that the strike action will be ‘indefinite’. Reports from Spanish media suggest that the USCA union’s action begins on April 17 at Canary Island resorts including Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro – with nine additional sites similarly set to be affected.
Further holiday spots facing airport strikes include mainland airports at Jerez de la Frontera, La Coruña, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Vigo and Seville. Castellón, Burgos, Huesca and Ciudad Real will also experience industrial action.
Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura – one of the airports set to be affected(Image: JJFarquitectos via Getty Images)
Travel platform Travel On World is alerting holidaymakers that the primary concern will likely be “delays, late aircraft rotations, missed connections and short-notice timetable changes.”
The website says that for many travellers, the main worry isn’t a total halt to services. Rather, it’s aircraft leaving late from previous destinations, incoming flights experiencing hold-ups, departure slots being rearranged, turnaround schedules becoming tighter and passengers enduring lengthy waits for definitive information about their journey. As air traffic control is classified as an essential service, Spanish officials retain the authority to enforce minimum service levels. This should ensure that certain flights remain operational, reports the Mirror.
Therefore, some departures are expected to proceed roughly on time. However, others might experience substantial delays, while some could be cancelled if airlines judge the knock-on effects to be too severe.
What rights do I have regarding the Spain airport strikes?
The Civil Aviation Authority states that if your UK flight experiences delays, and falls under post-Brexit regulation UK261, your airline has a duty of care towards you. This includes providing food and drinks based on your delay duration, plus overnight accommodation when necessary.
Additionally, you might qualify for compensation should the delay cause you to arrive at your destination more than three hours behind schedule. Should delays exceed five hours, you’re entitled to cancel your journey and obtain a refund.
What’s behind the Spain strike action?
The airports impacted by this industrial dispute have one thing in common – they’re all managed by SAERCO. Additional strikes were previously expected at Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, connected to a separate ongoing disagreement involving Groundforce baggage handlers.
Nevertheless, it was confirmed earlier this week that this action has been called off. Holiday-makers now face the prospect of travel chaos as this fresh round of industrial action takes hold. Air traffic control unions have announced strike action in response to staffing shortages and disputes over shift patterns – with passengers warned they may encounter potential disruption.
Costa Calma, on the island of Fuerteventura(Image: Federica Grassi via Getty Images)
USCA representative José Luis Feliú warned El Espejo Canario that flight delays could be on the cards. The popular destinations attract visitors throughout the year. Aena’s figures show that 5.7million British tourists travelled to the Canary Islands during 2023.
The island chain continues to draw British visitors regardless of term time – and there are pretty clear reasons why. Data from the Hello Canary Islands website reveals that, with 4,800 daylight hours annually, the Canary Islands enjoy more sunshine than any other European location.
What are the unions saying about the Spanish airport strikes?
USCA representative José Luis Feliú informed Spanish press that there exists a “shortage of air traffic controllers,” which he indicated has a direct effect on operational capability. “It generates greater stress, more fatigue, and makes it impossible to guarantee service continuity,” he warns.
The union representative points out that increasing air traffic has exacerbated matters, forcing staff to manage heavier workloads in progressively challenging circumstances, according to El Espejo Canario. Among the most pressing issues is rota management, he claims.
“The company unilaterally changes the schedule,” alleges Feliú, preventing staff from organising their private lives, he claims. He contends that air traffic controllers are being compelled to “give up leave, vacations, and planned changes,” describing the situation as untenable over the long term. “In the end, you work the same hours, but without any planning,” he maintains.
While minimum services are expected to continue, the industrial action is set to be indefinite. According to Spanish publication Larazon, the union points to “staff cuts of up to 33%” as the catalyst for the nationwide walkout.
The publication suggests that football supporters travelling through Seville airport could face disruption. The Copa del Rey final is scheduled to take place in Seville between Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad on Saturday, April 18.
Diario de Jerez reports that, as of Thursday lunchtime, Jerez airport’s timetable still listed 18 commercial flights for Friday (nine arrivals and nine departures). A further 18 commercial operations are planned for Saturday, including two flights to and from Germany.
