British holidaymakers heading to Spain are facing severe disruption at Madrid-Barajas Airport after security staff launched an indefinite full-time strike on Sunday. Passengers have reported queues of up to 95 minutes at security checkpoints, with images circulating of crowded corridors and jammed conveyor belts.
The industrial action, involving around 800 personnel employed by the private firm Trablisa, began after talks over working conditions collapsed. Workers are demanding salary improvements, a summer bonus similar to that paid at Palma de Mallorca, and a danger bonus for working in a critical infrastructure under Spain's level 4 anti-terrorist alert. Passengers have expressed dismay, with one traveller describing 'kilometre-long lines' at Terminal 4.
AENA, the Spanish airport authority, has apologised for the inconvenience and deployed assistants to divert passengers to less congested terminals. The Madrid strike is part of a wave of aviation-related industrial action across Europe this month. In Italy, a 24-hour strike by handling staff at Milan Linate, Malpensa, and Cagliari Elmas airports is planned for September 26. Meanwhile, French air traffic controllers will strike on September 18–19, potentially affecting flights crossing French airspace. Additionally, Azul Handling baggage staff, which handles most Ryanair flights, will strike at 12 Spanish airports on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the rest of 2025.
