Travel Update: Strike Action at Palma Airport over Easter

Monday, March 30th, 2026

Updated 01/04/2026

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

Initially, the measures affected two ground handling companies: Groundforce and Menzies. Fortunately, the situation has since eased somewhat: while the strikes at Menzies have been averted, Groundforce staff are continuing with their industrial action.

Strike status

Company	Status	Scheduled Dates	Specific Windows (Local Time)
Groundforce	Active: Indefinite strike action (every Mon, Wed, Fri)	From Monday, 30th March.	05:00–07:00, 11:00–17:00, 22:00–00:00
Menzies	Inactive	Cancelled	Cancelled

Important update regarding Menzies

Following successful negotiations as part of the mediation process (SIMA), the planned strike at Menzies has been fully cancelled. The company has agreed to address irregularities in pay guarantees and working hours (particularly for transferred staff). As a result, the feared 24-hour strikes over the Easter holidays will no longer take place.

Ongoing action at Groundforce

Please note that Groundforce employees have been on an indefinite strike since Monday, 30 March. As the company operates at 12 Spanish airports (including Palma), disruption is still expected on strike days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) during the time windows mentioned above.

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: Trade unions (UGT, CCOO and USO) continue to push for improved conditions and pay increases.
• Menzies: An agreement has been reached, providing financial guarantees for staff as well as improvements to shift planning and overtime arrangements. However, the unions remain vigilant to ensure that these commitments are implemented.

“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. As Menzies (one of the main service providers) is now operating as normal, a large part of ground handling is secured. However, some airlines work with Groundforce and are directly affected by the ongoing strikes.

Note: All airlines share the airport’s infrastructure, such as baggage systems, security checks and fuel supply. Strikes at major providers like Menzies and Groundforce can therefore lead to delays across the entire airport operation. If baggage belts are blocked with luggage from affected flights, your suitcase may also be delayed.

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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