Uncertainty plagues the miles of passengers affected by the strike of the Iberia Handling service (Iberia Airport Service) called for January 5, 6, 7 and 8 by the CCOO, UGT and USO unions. The strike will cause the cancellation of 444 flights operated by Iberia, Iberia Express and Air Nostrum. Without a doubt an unexpected blow for those who had decided to spend a vacation during the Three Kings weekend or for those who returned home after spending the Christmas holidays in Spain.
The strikes are aimed at forcing the company to resolve the labor dispute arising from the loss of handling licenses at the country’s main airports, and will result in 45,641 affected travelers who had already purchased their tickets. Specifically, these strikes will force the cancellation of 270 flights from the Iberia company, 64 from Iberia Express and 110 from Air Nostrum.
Added to this strike in Iberia is the one recently called by the UGT union. The workers of the platform control towers at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport will go on strike (second this Sunday by 100% of the workforce) from December 31 to January 7, in the middle of Christmas and also affected to the return operation. An airport spokesperson has assured EFE that, for the moment, as there is little traffic scheduled for this Sunday, the impact on airport operations due to the strike was “reduced”, especially because services have been decreed. “excessive” minimums.
Airports affected by the Iberia strike
The Iberia handling service strike forces the IAG group companies to cancel, for the moment, no more and no less than 444 flights connecting Spanish cities and other destinations in Europe. With the data provided by Iberia, the affected airports are all those where the company operates, that is, 29 throughout Spain and are the following:
A CoruñaAlicanteAsturias-OviedoBarcelonaBilbaoFuerteventuraGran CanariaGranadaIbizaJerez de la FronteraLanzaroteLa PalmaMadridMelillaMenorcaMurciaMálagaPalma de MallorcaPamplonaSan SebastiánSanta Cruz de La PalmaSantanderSantiago de CompostelaSevilleTenerife NorthTenerife SouthValenciaVigo
What flights are affected by the strike?
The reduction has made available to its clients the possibility of modifying flight dates or requesting the return of imports in order to be relocated or to look for alternatives on their journeys.
The companies are looking for alternatives for the more than 45,600 passengers affected by the cancellations so that they can make their trips. According to the airline, “in the coming days” travelers will be informed of the possibilities of relocation to other flights. Through its website, Iberia assures that they are already working to “reduce as much as possible the impact of this situation that forces the cancellation of 444 flights.” And it offers a detailed list of the affected flights.
Possibility of modifying the affected flights
Regarding Iberia flights, the company plans to operate 836 flights, 76% of the total 1,106 scheduled. Among the flights it plans to operate are practically all long-haul flights (including Level’s). Of the 270 Iberia flight cancellations, 51% will be domestic flights and 49% will be European flights. Iberia Express operates 88% of its flights and Air Nostrum 72%.
In any case, passengers who have affected flights booked for January 5, 6, 7 or 8 can request a date change in their trip or a refund of the import fee paid for the tickets starting last Friday. Customers with flights not directly affected by the strike may change the date of travel or request a voucher.
Changes can be made through the Iberia website, the travel agencies where the purchase was made or the customer service center that will reinforce its staff. Given the foreseeable problems that will occur at the airports due to the strike, Iberia asks all passengers to check-in in advance through the website and to arrive at the airports more time than usual.