Holidaymakers flying to or from Palma de Mallorca Airport have been warned to take only hand luggage as two separate groups of workers begin strikes from today, July 27. The industrial action involves staff responsible for baggage belts, sorting systems, tarmac vehicles, and boarding bridges, as well as Swissport ground handlers who oversee check-in, baggage handling, and ramp services.
Strike Dates and Impact
Swissport staff are scheduled to walk out from 7am to 12pm and 7pm to 10pm on Tuesday July 28, and again on August 1, 4, and 8, due to a dispute over pay and working conditions. The airport issued a statement noting that widespread cancellations are unlikely thanks to minimum service decrees, but passengers should expect longer waiting times and potential operational bottlenecks, especially on July 28 when the planned strikes coincide.
Under Spanish law, only 50% to 60% of international flights on high-demand routes are guaranteed to operate, along with 100% of inter-island flights and 70% to 80% of domestic flights. The airport advised: "The most realistic impact for passengers will be longer waiting times and potential operational bottlenecks."
Airlines Affected
Airlines impacted by the Swissport dispute include TUI, Condor, TAP Air Portugal, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Albaster, and DAT. The metal sector strike, running from July 27 to 30, will affect all carriers operating at Palma, Ibiza, and Menorca, including Ryanair, easyJet, and Jet2. Delays at baggage carousels and slower aircraft turnarounds are expected.
An airport statement explained that some airlines at Palma use a different ground handler, such as Ryanair, easyJet, or Jet2, but large-scale strikes can cause minor knock-on effects like localised congestion or minor delays at security. However, disruption for non-Swissport passengers is expected to be minimal.
Passenger Advice
To minimise disruption, Palma Airport urges passengers to travel with hand luggage only, check in online, and monitor airline apps. Passengers should still arrive two to three hours before departure, as recommended by their airline. "Turning up half a day early can exacerbate airport congestion," the airport added.
