Maintenance workers at Madrid-Barajas Airport are taking strike action throughout the rest of August and into September, which could cause delays for travellers' checked baggage. The industrial action affects the SATE system, which helps transport and sort checked bags through the airport.
On August 23rd, 28th and 30th, a minimum service level of 50% has been ordered, meaning luggage will still be processed, but travellers on those days should expect delays. The strikes are expected to continue every Thursday, Friday and Sunday until at least the end of September.
What passengers should know
Andrea Platania, travel expert at Transfeero, warned that passengers should not assume that clearing check-in and boarding successfully confirms their suitcase has reached the aircraft. He said: “This is a baggage-system maintenance strike, so the disruption may be less visible than a walkout involving check-in or security staff.
“A passenger could receive a boarding pass, clear security and watch their flight leave on time while their suitcase remains behind. The first sign of a problem may come after landing, when the baggage carousel stops and their bag has not appeared.”
Protecting your belongings
As a rule of thumb, anything you cannot afford to lose should go in your cabin bag and board the plane with you. This includes medications, travel documents, house keys and basic necessities.
Andrea said: “Pack your hand luggage as though your checked bag could arrive one day later than you. This does not mean trying to carry your entire suitcase into the cabin. It means protecting the small number of items that would create an immediate problem if they disappeared. Medication, keys and documents are far harder to replace than ordinary clothing.”
It is also worth noting that if your cabin bag is too large, it can be placed in with the checked luggage at the gate. If this happens, take a few minutes to remove all your essentials from the bag and carry them on to the plane with you to ensure they are not lost if your bag is delayed or missing when you land.
