Palma Airport Summer Strikes: Essential Advice Regarding Industrial Action
Saturday, July 18th, 2026
Updated: 04/08/2026
Important Update: Strike Confusion Cleared Up
There has been significant confusion over whether the industrial action at Palma Airport is still going ahead. To clarify: the strike has NOT been completely called off.
The confusion stems from a rift between two trade unions representing Swissport ground handling staff:
- The Indefinite Strike (Called Off): The majority union, UGT, reached an agreement at arbitration and called off the planned indefinite strike that was due to start on 4th August.
- The Partial Strike (STILL ON): A rival union, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO), released a statement confirming that their separate schedule of partial daily walkouts remains active. They argue that the company has failed to address their core demands on pay and heat safety, meaning their planned August stoppages are proceeding as scheduled.
Strike Schedule
| Strike Dates | Morning Walkout Times | Evening Walkout Times |
| Tuesday, 28th July | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 |
| Saturday, 1st August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 |
| Tuesday, 4th August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 |
| Saturday, 8th August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 |
Note: Times listed above are in local Spanish time (CEST).
Why is the strike happening?
According to union leaders, talks collapsed due to a lack of firm commitments from management regarding worker demands. Key issues include:
- Application of agreed sector pay scales and inflation-linked (CPI) updates.
- Contractual stability, including converting part-time roles to full-time permanent contracts.
- Better workplace safety standards, particularly health protection measures during extreme summer heat on the tarmac.
What exactly does Swissport do at Palma?
Swissport is a major player at Palma Airport, having launched its ground handling operations there in March 2024. When you fly, the vast majority of the “behind-the-scenes” mechanics of your journey are managed by ground handling agencies. At PMI, Swissport’s responsibilities include:
- Passenger Services: Managing check-in desks, ticketing, and boarding gate operations.
- Baggage Handling: Sorting, loading, and unloading luggage from the aircraft holds.
- Ramp Services: Guiding aircraft on the tarmac, marshalling, and baggage transport.
Which airlines are affected?
Swissport provides these essential services to a specific group of international carriers, including TUI, Condor, TAP Air Portugal, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Albastar and DAT.
What are “Minimum Service Levels”?
Under Spanish law, air transport is classified as an essential public service. This means strikes cannot legally bring an airport to a complete standstill. The Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible) sets mandatory minimum service levels (servicios mínimos) that the company must maintain.
For Swissport at Palma Airport, these statutory guarantees ensure:
- 100% of inter-island flights (e.g. between Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza) operate normally.
- 70% to 80% of domestic flights to and from mainland Spain are protected.
- 50% to 60% of international flights on high-demand routes remain operational.
- 100% protection for emergency, medical, and repositioning flights.
How could the strike impact your journey?
Thanks to the minimum service decrees, widespread cancellations are unlikely. The most realistic impact for passengers will be longer waiting times and potential operational bottlenecks.
Expect possible delays at:
- Check-in and bag drop desks before departure.
- Boarding gates during morning and evening walkout windows.
- Baggage carousels upon landing in Mallorca, as luggage unloading may take longer than usual.
Could you be affected if you are flying with a different airline?
Some airlines at Palma de Mallorca use a different ground handling provider, such as Ryanair, EasyJet, or Jet2. However, large-scale airport strikes can occasionally create a minor knock-on effect. If Swissport-served flights experience delays at the gates, it can sometimes lead to localised congestion on the tarmac or minor delays at security control. That said, any disruption for non-Swissport passengers is expected to be minimal.
What should you do next?
For now, the best approach is to stay informed without letting it ruin your holiday excitement:
- Check in online: Complete your check-in online before heading to the airport to minimise time spent in queues.
- Travel light if possible: Travelling with hand luggage only allows you to bypass potential check-in and baggage carousel delays.
- Monitor your airline’s app: Keep a close eye on text alerts or app notifications from your airline for real-time schedule updates.
- Arrive on time (but not too early): Stick to the standard arrival window recommended by your carrier (usually two to three hours before departure). Arriving half a day early can worsen airport congestion.
See also: official information issued by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
