Holidaymakers heading to or from Gran Canaria face a turbulent end to the summer season as strike action at airports in both Spain and the UK threatens to cause disruption from mid-August through to the end of the year. The disputes involve baggage handlers, ground staff, and security screeners, and could affect thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
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Ryanair Ground Handling Strikes in Spain
The first wave of disruption will begin in Spain on Friday, 15 August, when workers from Azul Handling—the company providing ground services for Ryanair—walk out. The strike will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 31 December 2025. On each strike day, stoppages are planned for three peak travel windows: 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, and 21:00–23:59.
Azul Handling staff are responsible for a range of vital services including baggage loading and unloading, aircraft cleaning, and passenger assistance at boarding gates. In the Canary Islands, the airports most likely to be affected are Gran Canaria, Tenerife South, and Lanzarote, although other Spanish bases in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Girona, and Santiago will also be hit.
Why the strikes?
The UGT union accuses the company of persistent breaches of labour rights, including excessive use of compulsory overtime, unfair sanctions against staff, and failure to respect rulings from joint labour committees. Union leaders say they have been forced into prolonged action to secure better conditions for the more than 3,000 workers affected nationwide.
Minimum Service Rules – What They Mean for Travellers
Spain’s Ministry of Transport has set minimum service levels to keep some flights running. For routes between the Canary Islands and mainland Spain, these range from 76% to 87% of scheduled flights in August, falling to as low as 59% in October. For shorter domestic routes where train travel could be an alternative, the level drops to between 27% and 40%.
While emergency flights—such as medical evacuations or organ transport—will run at 100%, the reduced staffing in baggage and aircraft turnaround could still cause knock-on delays even where flights operate. Passengers should be prepared for longer waits for luggage and potential rescheduling.
Ryanair has downplayed the threat, insisting it will operate as normal. However, past experience suggests ground handling strikes often lead to bottlenecks, missed connections, and occasional cancellations.
Your Rights Under EU Regulation 261/2004
For passengers flying from or within the EU (including to the Canary Islands), European law provides strong protections in cases of disruption:
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Compensation: Between €250 and €600 depending on flight distance, unless you’re given sufficient notice or offered an acceptable alternative.
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Refunds: Always available within seven days if your flight is cancelled.
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Care provisions: Airlines must provide meals, refreshments, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation if you’re stranded close to departure time.
However, compensation can be reduced or withheld if an alternative gets you to your destination within a set time window of the original schedule. The rules are complex, so passengers should keep all records of delays, cancellations, and additional expenses.
Menzies Aviation Strike in Spain
Adding to the disruption, Menzies Aviation ground staff will also stage strikes from Saturday, 16 August at five Spanish airports, including Barcelona, Alicante, and Malaga. Although this doesn’t directly cover Gran Canaria, it could impact connecting flights and domestic legs for travellers changing planes on the mainland.
Gatwick Baggage Screener Strikes in the UK
The second major front in this summer’s travel troubles is at London Gatwick Airport, one of the UK’s busiest gateways to the Canary Islands. Baggage screeners employed by ICTS, responsible for scanning hold luggage, are set to strike from 22–26 August and again from 29 August–2 September, spanning the busy late-summer bank holiday weekend.
Why Gatwick staff are walking out
The Unite union says screeners are paid only marginally above the UK’s minimum wage despite the company enjoying booming profits—up more than 110% since 2020, with pre-tax earnings of £6.1 million in 2024. Union leaders accuse ICTS of “corporate greed” and are demanding a fair pay rise in line with the increased cost of living.
Potential impact
While Gatwick Airport insists it will work with contractors to maintain a normal summer schedule, delays are expected—especially at check-in for passengers with hold luggage. Longer queues at security for bags and potential delays in loading luggage onto aircraft could cause late departures and missed slots. Passengers connecting from Gatwick to onward flights to Spain or the Canaries should be particularly cautious.
How UK Passenger Rights Differ
In the UK, airlines may not be obliged to pay compensation for delays caused by third-party strikes, as these are often considered “extraordinary circumstances.” However, travellers can still request refunds or rebooking if flights are cancelled, and travel insurance may cover additional expenses if delays exceed certain thresholds.
What This Means for Canary Islands Tourism
The overlap of strikes in both Spain and the UK raises the risk of compounded disruption for tourists heading to Gran Canaria and the other islands. For example, a flight leaving Gatwick could be delayed due to baggage checks, then face further hold-ups on arrival if ground handling teams are on strike locally. Even if the aircraft arrives on time, passengers might wait longer for baggage reclaim or boarding on the return leg.
For the Canary Islands, August through October is a crucial travel period, with a mix of summer holidaymakers, shoulder-season visitors, and an increasing number of long-stay tourists from northern Europe. Prolonged disruption could impact hotel occupancy rates, excursion bookings, and the broader tourism economy.
Practical Tips for Travellers
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Check before you travel: Monitor airline emails, text alerts, and airport websites daily in the run-up to your trip.
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Travel light: Hand luggage only can help you bypass potential baggage delays.
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Allow extra time: Arrive at the airport earlier than usual on strike days.
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Know your rights: For flights touching EU territory, read up on EU261; for UK departures, review Civil Aviation Authority guidance.
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Keep receipts: For meals, hotels, or alternative travel booked due to disruption—these may support claims later.
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Have a plan B: If your flight is cancelled, consider alternative airports or carriers.
Bottom line:
The coming months could be testing for travellers between the UK and Gran Canaria. While not every flight will be affected, the scale and duration of the strikes mean a higher-than-usual risk of delays and cancellations. By staying informed, knowing your rights, and planning ahead, you can reduce the stress—and keep your holiday plans on track.
