Jet2 strike warning to UK holidaymakers with flights booked to Spain, including Barcelona and Lanzarote

Holidaymakers travelling to Spain with Jet2 this week are being warned to brace for flight delays due to strike action at several major airports.

The budget airline has issued a travel update on its website which warns that strike action is taking place in Spain on Wednesday 31 May, supported by the Swissport Ground Handling Service.

The strike action is expected to impact flights travelling to and from Reus, Barcelona, Almeria and Lanzarote (Arrecife) and means there will not be as many members of staff available at these airports, causing potential delays for passengers.

Jet2 is advising holidaymakers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight is due to depart and to keep checking its website for the most up-to-date information.

The airline said in a statement: “We wanted to let you know that Ground Handling strike action is taking place today, supported by the Swissport Ground Handling Service in Reus, Barcelona, Almeria and Lanzarote (Arrecife).

“This means that there will not be as many members of staff available at the Airport. If you’re affected, rest assured we’ll try to keep any disruption to a minimum.

“Please arrive at the airport at least two hours before your departure time. Check-in closes 40 minutes before a flight’s departure time. For up-to-date information, please check this web page again, as well as the departure screens and listen out for any announcements.”

It comes as more strike disruption looms for holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer as the Spanish Union of Airline Pilots (SEPLA) has threatened to stage several walkouts as part of an ongoing dispute with the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agency. Union members are fighting against a “minimum services” law which requires pilots to work during industrial disputes to ensure 90% of scheduled flights go ahead.

SEPLA members at Air Nostrum and Air Europa are currently striking and have been since February, but the legislation means that 60 of the daily 80 flights are still running despite the walkouts. The union is now considering more widespread strike action by members across different airlines, which could disrupt flights during the busy summer season.

As SEPLA represents workers from more than 10 different airlines it could cause mass disruption for passengers travelling Spain and the Balearics in the coming weeks. If walkouts do go ahead, the following carriers could be affected:

• Air Nostrum
• Air Europa
• Iberia
• Iberia Express
• Vueling
• Ryanair
• easyJet
• Norwegian
• Switfair
• Plus Ultra
• Jet2
• Eurowings
• Evelop

The looming strike action comes after air Traffic Control workers affiliated with Spain’s Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) and USCA unions at 16 Spanish airports walked out for two hours every Thursday and Sunday throughout last month.

The strike related to ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions and affected a swathe of airports across the country, including popular holiday locations such as Alicante, Lanzarote and Ibiza.

Air traffic controllers have been asking for a 5.5% pay increase, but service providers in the privatised control towers in Spain are instead offering staggered pay increases for the years 2021 (0%), 2022 (1%), 2023 (2%) and 2024 (2.5%), which the CCOO union says “falls far short” of expectations.

The UK Foreign Office warned holidaymakers of possible delays in a recent update, stating: “Disruption to flights may occur because of possible strike action. You should consult your airline or tour operator for updates prior to travel.”