Spain ATC strike hits 14 airports

Spain’s air-traffic-control strike entered its first full day on Saturday, April 18, disrupting flights at 14 Spanish airports and hitting Canary Islands routes first. (usca.es) The walkout began at 00:00 on Friday, April 17, and it has no end date. The unions Unión Sindical de Controladores Aéreos and Comisiones Obreras called it against Saerco, the private company that runs those control towers. (usca.es) Airports named in strike notices and travel advisories include Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, Seville, Jerez, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Vigo, A Coruña, Castellón, Burgos, Huesca and Ciudad Real. Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are among the busiest holiday gateways in the group. (euroweeklynews.com) The dispute is centered on staffing, scheduling and fatigue. USCA said Saerco cut headcount, canceled approved leave, changed shifts at short notice and blurred mandatory rest periods inside towers handling essential traffic. (usca.es) For travelers, the main risk is not a blanket shutdown but a chain of delays, aircraft arriving late, missed onward connections and last-minute timetable changes. TravelON reported that minimum-service rules are expected to keep part of the network operating. (travelon.world) That matters in the Canary Islands, where flights are the main link for tourists and many residents. The strike also lands during the Easter travel period, when airports are already handling heavier passenger volumes. (travelon.world) Passengers delayed by more than two hours are entitled to care from the airline, including food, drink and, if needed, accommodation. If a delay reaches five hours, or a flight is canceled, the airline must offer rerouting or a refund. (aena.es) Those rights apply across the European Union system, including the Canary Islands. The European Union’s passenger-rights guidance also says airlines must give travelers written notice of their rights when delays exceed two hours or flights are canceled. (europa.eu) USCA said it sought mandatory mediation before filing the strike and accused Saerco of repeatedly postponing or canceling meetings. As of Saturday, the unions’ position was that the conflict reflected a structural staffing problem, not a one-off roster dispute. (usca.es) For now, Spain’s message to passengers is practical rather than dramatic: check flight status with the airline, expect delays before outright cancellations, and keep receipts and booking records if the disruption stretches on. (aena.es)