Causes, Consequences, and Current Situation

During the spring of 2026, Alicante–Elche Airport and several other major airports in Spain were affected by extensive strikes. The strikes coincided with the Easter period (Semana Santa), one of the busiest travel times of the year, which made the consequences especially noticeable for both travelers and the aviation industry.

The strike was mainly led by ground handling staff, responsible for services such as baggage handling, boarding, aircraft loading, and general airport ground services. The main company involved was Groundforce, whose employees began an indefinite strike on March 30, 2026. The strike took place on recurring days each week and during specific time slots, causing repeated disruptions to air traffic.

Why did they go on strike?

The reasons behind the strike were primarily financial and work-related. Trade unions such as UGT, CCOO, and USO demanded higher wages and better working conditions. According to reports, salaries had remained unchanged since 2022, while workloads had increased, partly due to staff shortages and a rise in travel following the pandemic.

In addition to wage demands, the conflict also involved issues such as scheduling, overtime compensation, and job insecurity. Many workers believed that working conditions had worsened as airport services were outsourced to the lowest bidders, putting downward pressure on wages and job stability.

Who was affected?

The consequences were significant. Millions of travelers flying to and from Spain—including Alicante—were directly affected. The problems were not always complete flight cancellations, but rather:

Departure delays
Long queues at check-in
Baggage issues (delayed or missing luggage)
Slower boarding and airport handling

On some days, flights reportedly departed without luggage or experienced major delays.

Other sectors were also indirectly affected. Tourism, which is extremely important for Alicante and the Costa Blanca region, experienced disruptions. Additionally, there were parallel strikes in the transport sector, including rail workers in Alicante and Valencia, further complicating travel in the region.

What happened during the strike?

The situation changed several times throughout April. Some planned strikes—such as those by the company Menzies—were called off after agreements were reached regarding improved working conditions.

At the same time, the Groundforce strike continued, although with temporary pauses. On April 11, a planned strike was suspended to resume negotiations. The company then offered wage increases and improved conditions, which was seen as a step toward a resolution.

Is the strike resolved?

The situation can be described as partially resolved but not fully concluded. Negotiations have led to temporary pauses in the strike and some improvements in working conditions, but the conflict has not been permanently settled.

In practice, this meant that the situation gradually improved during April, and Alicante–Elche Airport was no longer among the most severely affected airports, although indirect effects from strikes elsewhere could still be felt.

Summary

The strike in Alicante was part of a broader national conflict within Spain’s aviation sector. It was caused by dissatisfaction with wages and working conditions and mainly affected travelers through delays and baggage problems. Although the situation improved through negotiations and temporary agreements, the strike clearly demonstrated how vulnerable air traffic is when key personnel stop working.

For ongoing updates, travellers can follow the official Alicante–Elche Airport website (Aena) here, which regularly publishes the latest information about strike action, delays, and airport operations.