Travel Update: Planned Strike Action at Palma Airport over Easter

Thursday, March 19th, 2026

Updated 28/3/2026

If you are planning to travel to Mallorca this Easter, you may be aware of the industrial action by airport ground staff. We have updated this guide with the latest information on the strike schedule and what you can expect at the airport.

Who is striking and when? Key dates at a glance

The planned action involves the companies Groundforce and Menzies.

Strikes temporarily postponed

The strike action originally planned for this weekend by Groundforce and Menzies ground staff has been suspended. The Groundforce walkout, which was due to begin on Friday, 27th March, is now scheduled to start on Monday, 30th March, as an indefinite strike. Similarly, Menzies has called off the first two days of action on 28th and 29th March; as it stands, their industrial action is now set to take place for the full 24-hour periods between 2nd and 6th April.

New strike schedule

Company	Type of Action	Scheduled Dates	Specific Windows (Local Time)
Groundforce	Indefinite (every Mon, Wed, Fri)	From Monday, 30th March.	05:00–07:00, 11:00–17:00, 22:00–00:00
Menzies	24-Hour Stoppages	From 2nd – 6th April + on every further weekend of the year, if no agreement is reached.	Full calendar days (00:00–24:00)

Note: The most significant periods of overlap will occur on Good Friday (3rd April) and Easter Monday (6th April), when both companies have actions scheduled simultaneously.

Good to know: As Groundforce is only striking during certain hours, operations outside these windows on non-overlapping days are likely to continue as normal.

What is the role of ground handling services?

While passengers primarily interact with airline staff, ground handling teams are responsible for the essential technical and logistical operations that allow a flight to depart. These teams manage the “turnaround” of an aircraft. Their duties include:

• Passenger Support: Managing check-in desks, boarding gates, and baggage enquiries.
• Ramp Operations: Loading and unloading luggage, guiding aircraft to their parking stands, and performing the “pushback” for departure.
• Logistics: Cleaning cabins and coordinating onboard supplies such as water and waste management.

Why is the action taking place?

The dispute centres on pay and working conditions. Groundforce staff are striking over the application of wage increases linked to inflation (CPI), while Menzies employees are protesting against high workloads and seeking improved job security within their collective bargaining agreements.

“Minimum Service” requirements

Please note that Spanish law protects the freedom to travel. The Ministry of Transport has therefore established “Servicios Mínimos” (minimum service levels). This means that a certain number of staff must continue working even during strike periods in order to maintain airport operations. As a result, processes may be slower, but they will not come to a complete standstill.

What this means for your flight:

Most flights are expected to operate. However, with fewer staff available on the ground, the “minimum service” levels usually result in slower processing times. You should anticipate longer queues at check-in and potential delays in baggage being delivered to the carousels upon arrival. Aircraft turnaround times might be increased due to staff shortages, which can lead to flight delays.

Will all airlines be affected?

Not necessarily. Some airlines use different service providers. For example, Ryanair uses Azul Handling, while Jet2 relies on its own staff. However, this does not guarantee disruption-free travel. All airlines share airport infrastructure, such as baggage systems, security and fuel services, so strikes affecting major providers like Menzies and Groundforce can cause knock-on delays across the entire airport. If baggage systems become congested, your luggage may be delayed, too.

Practical advice for passengers

To ensure your journey is as smooth as possible during this period, we suggest the following:

• Travel with cabin bags only: If you can avoid checking a suitcase, you will bypass the baggage handling process entirely, the area most frequently affected by these strikes.
• Use digital boarding passes: Check in online via your airline’s app as soon as it opens. This allows you to go straight to security and avoids the need to visit a check-in desk.
• Monitor live updates: Enable push notifications on your airline’s mobile app for real-time information regarding gate changes or minor schedule adjustments.
• Arrive early: We recommend arriving at the terminal at least three hours before your departure to allow for any additional queuing at security or check-in.

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