Spain Strikes to Disrupt UK Travel to 14 Airports

British holidaymakers planning trips to Spain face immediate and future disruptions, with air traffic control strikes set to begin at 14 airports on Friday, April 17 and a major northwest airport scheduled for a full closure next year.

The indefinite strike action, announced by the USCA union, will affect key tourist destinations including the Canary Islands hotspots of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. Mainland sites such as Jerez de la Frontera, La Coruña, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Vigo and Seville are also impacted, along with Castellón, Burgos, Huesca and Ciudad Real. All these facilities are operated by SAERCO. The union cited staff shortages of up to 33 controllers, increased workloads due to rising air traffic, and disputes over shift scheduling as the reasons for the action. USCA spokesman José Luis Feliú stated that the shortages create "greater stress, more fatigue, and make it impossible to guarantee service continuity," while unilateral changes to schedules force workers to forgo leave and vacations.

Travel experts warn of delays, missed connections and short-notice timetable changes rather than complete shutdowns. Spanish authorities can...