The summertime plans of thousands of Poles flying to Spain were called into question. At the very top of the vacation season, 1 of the largest low-cost carriers in Europe, Ryanair, must face a wave of protests that can paralyze key airports. However, the problem does not concern pilots or compartment crew, and workers without whom no aircraft will take off in time. The strike agenda is already known and includes not only a long August weekend, but recurring handicaps until the end of the year. For Polish tourists for whom Spain is the absolute number one on this year's vacation list, this means preparing for delays, long queues and tense atmosphere at airports. The first passengers have already felt the effects of the protest, and this is only the beginning.
Who's truly on strike? Pilots don't paralyze flights.
Flight crews are not behind the obstacles, which frequently causes flight cancellations. This time the workers protest Azul Handling, which provides key groundhandling services to Ryanair. They are liable for baggage clearance, baggage loading, deck cleaning and passenger assistance at boarding point. Although their work takes place mainly in the background, its halt immediately slows down the full airport's operating network and leads to a domino effect, generating delays for subsequent flights.
Trade unionists presented a list of circumstantial demands. They request first stable employment contracts and respect for the principles of part-time employment. They besides fight to reduce alleged supplementary hours, which frequently force them to work beyond the norm without adequate compensation. Key demands besides concern compliance with collective agreements and the introduction of real solutions to facilitate the integration of work and household life. deficiency of agreement with the company's board led to the announcement of a series of scheduled, cyclical strikes to put force on employers.
The protest agenda is already known. These days and hours will be critical
Passengers flying to Spain must prepare for regular difficulties. The protest action was precisely planned to maximise its severity while respecting Spanish law on minimum services. The strike began on a long August weekend, and the first dates covered the period 15 to 17 August 2025. The protests affected the most crucial Spanish airports, including those in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Malaga, Alicante, as well as popular islands specified as Majorca and Tenerife.
But it's not over. If there is no agreement, the strike will continue. Traders have announced that protests will be repeated every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 31 December 2025. Moreover, the actions will take place in 3 circumstantial hourly bands to disrupt the morning, confederate and evening waves of departures and arrivals. The hours of strikes are:
- 05:00 – 09:00 (local time)
- 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. (local time)
- 21:00 – 23:59 (local time)
The rigid timeframe is due to the Spanish rules on the alleged ‘servicios mínimos’ which require the minimum level of services to be maintained in key sectors specified as air transport. In practice, this means that protesters cannot completely paralyze the airports, but their actions will be felt for passengers at designated times.
What does that mean for passengers? anticipate delays, not appeals
The scale of the problem is enormous, given the popularity of Spain among Poles. According to data from the Spanish Statistical Office, in 2024 the country visited around 2.44 million tourists from Poland, which represented an increase of almost 30% compared to the erstwhile year. This period Spain became the most sought-after vacation destination, ahead of Italy and Greece. Strikes at key airports in the Mediterranean and islands will almost surely affect the vacation plans of many Polish families.
In practice, thanks to these ‘minimum services’, mass cancellations are little likely. However, passengers must face another inconveniences. The first hours of protests have shown that the main problem is longer queues for baggage check-in and departure delays ranging from a twelve to even 45 minutes. Extended ground handling times origin delays in aircraft rotation, which translates into a full network of connections. Even if your flight is not scheduled during strike hours, it may be delayed due to earlier disturbances. It is so worth to book much more time to scope the airport, check-in and pass safety checks.
Compensation for delayed flight? Passenger rights during the strike
In the event of disruption of passengers' travel, it protects Regulation No 261/2004 of the European Union. According to its records, in the event of a crucial hold or cancellation, the airline is required to supply passengers with the alleged custody rights. It includes free meals and drinks in adequate quantity to meet the waiting times and, if necessary, hotel accommodation with transport.
However, the issue of financial compensation is more complicated. Carriers may deviate from the payment of compensation (ranging from EUR 250 to 600) if they prove that the disturbance was caused by the ‘extraordinary circumstances’That they had no influence on. The strike of external sales workers is frequently classified in this way. However, the final decision depends on the explanation of national courts and consumer law offices. Notwithstanding this, passengers inactive have the right to reimbursement of ticket costs or to change their reservation to another date if the flight is cancelled. For Poles flying to Spain on their dream vacation, the most crucial advice is simple: follow airline and airport messages, come to the place with quite a few time and be patient.
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Ryanair starts strike in vacation paradise. Poles must know these key dates