Holidaymakers travelling to the Canary Islands on November 11 face disruption as a 24-hour general strike across Spain affects air and land transport. The walkout, called by Spain's largest unions UGT and CCOO to protest housing costs and working conditions, will impact popular destinations including Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria.
Workers from all sectors, including aviation, ground handling, security, and air traffic control, are taking part. According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, Spanish authorities have set minimum service levels, but significant cuts remain.
Minimum Services and Flight Guarantees
Only 32% of short domestic flights at Madrid are guaranteed to operate, compared with 57% of international flights and 78% of island routes. Shortages in ground handling and air traffic control could also cause airport delays.
Airlines are adjusting schedules and offering flexible rebooking options to help travellers manage the disruption.
Airlines Offer Flexible Options
Iberia, Spain's main airline, is allowing passengers with flights on November 11 to change their travel dates for free, provided they fly by November 26. Passengers can also request a full refund, either as a voucher or to their original payment method.
Other major airlines, including Vueling, Ryanair, and easyJet, are updating their flight statuses. Travellers should check their flight status on their airline's app before heading to the airport.
This strike follows recent travel disruptions caused by industrial action in air and rail travel across Europe, including Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal.
Advice for Affected Travellers
If strikes disrupt your holiday or airline, contact your travel provider right away. Know your passenger rights under UK and EU rules, and keep receipts for any extra expenses.
Don't cancel your booking if your flight or train is delayed or uncertain. If the operator cancels, you're entitled to a full refund or free rebooking. If you cancel first, you might lose these rights.
If a rail strike blocks your route, regional coach networks like FlixBus usually keep running and often add extra seats to meet demand.
Check your travel insurance "travel disruption" clause. Standard policies often exclude strikes if the industrial action was already publicly announced or widely reported before you bought the policy or booked your trip. Compare the strike notice date with your purchase date.
