Lanzarote Airport. Photo: Jarek Photography / Shutterstock Air travel across several regional airports in Spain could face disruption in the coming days after unions filed a notice for an indefinite strike affecting air traffic control services.
The industrial action, led by the Air and Tourism Services Sector of FSC-CCOO in collaboration with USCA, is scheduled to begin on April 17, 2026, pending mediation efforts.
According to union representatives, the strike is driven by a long-standing staffing shortage within Saerco-managed control towers. The unions estimate a personnel deficit of nearly 30%, "which is deteriorating working conditions and affecting daily air traffic control operations."
Controllers have reportedly been required to cover additional shifts, including on-call duties during scheduled days off. In some cases, vacations have been canceled or rescheduled with minimal notice, adding to growing frustration among employees.
Unions have warned that the staffing shortage is not only a labor issue but also a safety concern, arguing the current working conditions marked by fatigue, stress, and irregular schedules are incompatible with the high levels of focus needed for air traffic control.
With the strike notice now filed, unions are urging authorities and the employer to take immediate steps to resolve the dispute. Their demands include:
-Adequate staffing levels
-Respect for mandated rest periods
-Guaranteed vacation time
-Improved work organization aligned with safety standards
Mediation by Spain’s SIMA (Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service) could determine whether the strike goes ahead, starting on Friday at midnight, or a last-minute agreement is reached.
The strike would affect air traffic controllers at 14 airports, including Seville, Jerez, Cuatro Vientos (Madrid), Vigo, A Coruña, La Palma, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura.