Palma Airport Summer Strikes: Essential Advice Regarding Industrial Action
Saturday, July 18th, 2026
Updated: 12/08/2026
Important Update: Additional August Strike Dates
The industrial action involving Swissport ground handling staff at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) may be extended into the second half of August.
Although an earlier agreement with the UGT union led to the cancellation of an indefinite strike, the Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) trade union has officially registered a second wave of partial walkouts. The Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility (Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible) has published a new Minimum Services Resolution (Resolución de Servicios Mínimos) confirming formal strike notices for key dates from mid- to late August.
While mediation via the Balearic Arbitration Tribunal (TAMIB) remains ongoing, passengers travelling on these dates should prepare for potential delays during peak walkout windows.
Extended Strike Schedule
| Strike Dates | Morning Walkout Times | Evening Walkout Times | Status |
| Saturday, 15th August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 | Notice Registered |
| Tuesday, 18th August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 | Notice Registered |
| Saturday, 22nd August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 | Notice Registered |
| Tuesday, 25th August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 | Notice Registered |
| Saturday, 29th August | 07:00 – 12:00 | 19:00 – 22:00 | Notice Registered |
Note: Times listed above are in local Spanish time (CEST).
Why is the strike happening?
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?
With further strike dates registered for late August, staying proactive is key:
- 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 carrier, as last-minute mediation could result in strikes being called off at short notice.
- Check your flight status during walkout windows: If flying between 07:00–12:00 or 19:00–22:00 on strike days, allow extra patience at check-in desks and baggage carousels.
- 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.
