Barcelona Airport strike to affect 2 million passengers
Euro Weekly News
Groundforce employees at Barcelona Airport have announced an indefinite strike starting on August 4. Around 2 million passengers could face delays with check-in, boarding and baggage handling, although the airport itself will continue operating, Euro Weekly News reports.
Reasons for the strike and employees’ demands
The strike at Barcelona Airport was organised by the General Confederation of Labour (CGT). A total of 1,179 Groundforce employees working at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport have been called to take part in the action.
Groundforce employees are responsible for a wide range of ground-handling services at the airport, including passenger check-in, boarding, flight coordination, ramp operations, and baggage loading and unloading. In 2025, airlines served by Groundforce transported 9.1 million passengers, handled more than 54,150 flight operations and processed over 85,800 tonnes of air cargo. In the first half of 2026, the company’s operations included more than 4.3 million passengers and around 26,500 operations.
The union explains the decision by citing deteriorating working conditions and safety concerns. CGT representatives claim that staff shortages and high employee turnover have resulted in excessive workloads, physical exhaustion, stress and an increased risk of workplace injuries.
The union has also raised concerns about work organisation and insufficient training for new employees. CGT said previous negotiations with the company had failed to produce a satisfactory solution. The strike will begin overnight between August 3 and 4 and will continue indefinitely.
Which airlines may face problems
The strike will mainly affect airlines using Groundforce services at Barcelona Airport. The union listed Air Europa, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Scandinavian Airlines and Air Arabia among the operator’s clients.
According to Aena’s baggage-handling operator directory, Groundforce is also responsible for baggage services for Jet2.com. Other carriers connected with the ground-handling operator at Barcelona Airport include Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Finnair, ITA Airways, Swiss, Brussels Airlines and Luxair.
At the same time, some major airlines use other ground-handling providers. Aena states that British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling are served by South Europe Ground Services, while easyJet and Ryanair operate with separate providers.
Minimum service requirements
Spain’s Transport Ministry has established minimum service levels for the duration of the strike. For domestic flights between Barcelona and Spain’s islands, as well as routes with public service obligations, 80% of flights must continue operating.
For international routes and mainland connections where alternative public transport takes more than five hours, the minimum level is set at 58%. Flights between Barcelona and the UK fall into this category. For shorter domestic routes where alternative transport takes less than five hours, the minimum service level is 35%.
From August 4 until the end of September, airlines connected with Groundforce have scheduled around 11,600 flights from Barcelona with a total capacity of approximately 2.4 million passenger seats. The Transport Ministry estimates that the dispute could affect around 2 million travellers.
Impact of the strike on passengers
International Investment analysts note that European air travel is already facing additional pressure due to the introduction of the European Union Entry/Exit System (EES). Many airports have reported long queues at border controls, delays in passenger processing and changes to flight schedules. Weather conditions and technical issues are also affecting operations.
The Groundforce strike in Barcelona could further complicate the situation at one of Europe’s largest transport hubs. Disruptions at Barcelona Airport are possible, but the strike does not mean the airport will close or that all flights will automatically be cancelled. Groundforce is one of several ground-handling operators at El Prat Airport, so the impact will depend on the number of employees taking part and the allocation of mandatory minimum services.
Passengers may face longer check-in queues, boarding delays, extended aircraft turnaround times and problems collecting checked baggage.
Recommendations for travellers
Passengers should keep in mind that one airline may use different contractors for various services, so they should check the latest flight information directly with their carrier. During possible disruptions, travellers are advised to keep medication, travel documents, keys and valuables in their hand luggage. If checked baggage does not arrive, passengers should complete a Property Irregularity Report before leaving the baggage reclaim area.
Spain’s Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) reminds passengers that in the event of a cancelled flight they have the right to choose between a refund, rerouting at the earliest opportunity or rescheduling the journey for a later suitable date.
In cases of significant delays, airlines may also be required to provide meals, refreshments and accommodation. Eligibility for financial compensation is considered separately and depends on the circumstances. A ground-handling strike may be classified as an extraordinary circumstance if the airline can prove that it took all reasonable measures to prevent disruption.