The industrial action, called by unions USCA and CCOO, directly affects operations at Lanzarote (César Manrique), Fuerteventura, La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera airports. This conflict is part of a national protest involving a total of 14 facilities across the country.
Workers are denouncing a “structural problem” characterized by excessive workload, lack of staff replacement for absences, and short-notice shift changes. These factors, according to the unions, compromise air safety due to staff fatigue and stress.
“"Aeronautical safety is incompatible with a workforce subjected to permanent uncertainty and lack of mandatory rest periods."
In response, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has established minimum services to guarantee essential mobility. These include 100% for emergency and state flights, between 66% and 83% for domestic flights to non-peninsular territories such as the Canary and Balearic Islands, and lower percentages for international and peninsular flights.
Consumer organizations like Facua and OCU have reminded affected passengers of their rights, protected by European Regulation 261/2004. Travelers are entitled to information, alternative transport, or a full refund of their ticket within seven days.
Furthermore, in cases of cancellation or prolonged delay, airlines are obliged to provide free assistance, including food, refreshments, hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary, and transport between the airport and the accommodation. The OCU also notes that affected individuals can claim financial compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros, depending on the flight distance and the alternatives offered by the airline.
Despite previous meetings between unions and the company to try and call off the action, the lack of agreement on staffing levels and rest schedules has maintained the indefinite strike, adding to operational pressure in other parts of the country.
