Palma airport issues delays warning ahead of planned strikes

Holidaymakers heading to Majorca are being told to prepare for potential disruption as anti-tourism protests are due to be swiftly followed by a series of airport workers’ strikes.

A demonstration organised by campaign group Menys Turisme and Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life) was planned for Sunday (July 26).

Swissport workers at Palma Airport are then due to walk out tomorrow (Tuesday), with more strikes planned for August 1, 4 and 8 during peak morning and evening operational hours – 7am-12 noon and 7pm-10pm.

Additionally, 24-hour daily walkouts covering technical maintenance, ground equipment and airport infrastructure roles are planned by three unions from today (Monday) until Thursday.

The key pinch point is on Tuesday when both sets of workers stage walkouts simultaneously, the airport warned.

Airlines affected by the Swissport ground handlers’ dispute following a breakdown in talks between union representatives and management include Tui, Condor TAP Air Portugal, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Albaster and DAT.

However, the separate action covers technical personnel across the entire airport, “meaning its impact will stretch beyond Swissport-handled airlines to affect all carriers operating at Palma, Ibiza and Menorca,” an airport statement said.         

“Some airlines at Palma de Mallorca use a different ground handling provider, such as Ryanair, EasyJet, or Jet2.

“However, large-scale airport strikes can occasionally create a minor knock-on effect. If Swissport-served flights experience delays at the gates, it can sometimes lead to localised congestion on the tarmac or minor delays at security control. That said, any disruption for non-Swissport passengers is expected to be minimal.”

Air transport is classifield as an essential public service under Spanish law, which means strikes cannot legally bring an airport to a complete standstill. The Spanish Ministry of Transport sets mandatory minimum service levels.

Palma Airport added in a statement: “Thanks to the minimum service decrees, widespread cancellations are unlikely.

“The most realistic impact for passengers will be longer waiting times and potential operational bottlenecks.”

Delays can be expected at check-in and bag drop desks before departure, boarding gates during morning and evening walkouts and baggage carousels upon landing as unloading from aircraft may take longer than usual.

Air passenger rights group AirHelp warned travellers to prepare for disruption as it released data it claimed showed almost two in five passengers using the airport between May 1 and July 23 had already experienced delays or cancellations.

It said the strain on infrastructure “highlighted the potential impact further disruption could have as schools break up and peak holiday travel gets underway”.

The AirHelp data showed more than a million passengers travelled through Palma Airport within the timeframe outlined, with 39.4% of them experiencing disruption including delays and cancellations.