Two-day strike at Barcelona El Prat could affect 1,000 flights

Iberia staff to walk out on 27 and 28 July, bringing the airport to a standstill

Delays and cancellations are expected at Barcelona’s El Prat airport as Iberia’s ground staff are downing tools over working conditions.

Vueling, Iberia, British Airways and Turkish Airlines have begun cancelling flights.

The strike is planned for 27 and 28 July. It will affect the whole airport because Iberia ground staff serve 27 different airlines.

Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure estimates that 54 per cent of international flights and 32 per cent of flights between domestic destinations less than five hours away by road will operate.

They have established minimum services and will ensure that all flights between the islands and the mainland will run as normal.

The ministry expects 1,000 flights to be affected overall.

Kiwi.com is fully aware of the situation and has notified the customers affected.

Customers have been advised that their flight may be affected and to check its status. They have been informed how they should proceed if their flight is cancelled.

Communications have also been sent to the relevant contacts at Kiwi.com’s partners. These provide specific information on the impact and the steps that are being taken to mitigate this.

Negotiations between bosses and the 2,700 workers at El Prat ground to a halt on Thursday.

Staff say that a deal struck last year in order to bring industrial action to an end has not been held up and that they are overworked. They also claim that there has been a lack of hiring to deal with the busy summer season.

A spokesperson for Iberia said: “Due to the strike that is to be held by Iberia Staff in Barcelona airport (BCN) planned for 27 and 28 July 2019, customers with an Iberia operated 075 ticketed issued by 25 July to or from Barcelona who wish to move their departure away from the days of the strike, may rebook to an alternative date between 25 July to 4 August 2019.”