Easter travel chaos as Spain strikes hit Irish passengers at 12 airports

As many as 12 major airports in Spain are preparing for strike action(Image: Getty Images)

Irish travellers flying to and from Spain this Easter are set to face some of the most widespread industrial action at airports the country has witnessed in years, with as many as 12 major airports preparing for days of strikes by ground handlers and ancillary staff.

Spain's three largest trade unions have confirmed final plans for thousands of Groundforce employees, which oversees much of the logistics for airports and a host of airlines, to walk out from Monday, 30th March. The unions have deliberately chosen the first genuinely busy weekend of the year - as millions head off for the Easter holiday - to cause maximum disruption to their Groundforce parent company Air Europa, amid an ongoing dispute over pay and job security. The unions have also made clear they are prepared to pursue strike action throughout the summer if their demands are not met.

The strikes by ground handling staff will begin early on Monday, 30th March and will affect all operations at: Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Alicante, Valencia, Málaga, Bilbao, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. There are further 24-hour actions involving baggage handlers on 28th March (today) and 29th March, as well as on 2nd April and 6th April. Up to 3,000 ramp, baggage and cargo agents will walk off the job in three daily shifts - early morning 5am-7am, 11am to 5pm, and 10pm to midnight - in actions designed to keep traffic moving through airports, but at a significantly reduced pace. Travellers at these airports should brace themselves for considerable delays or cancellations - and inevitably, any disruption will have a knock-on effect across airports in Ireland and throughout Europe.

Groundforce may not handle all or even the majority of luggage at the 12 main airports - however, ground handling operations are so precisely coordinated in modern airports that any disruption in one area will swiftly affect others.

Baggage handlers from rival companies and staff from other departments may also down tools in solidarity as the unions seek to ramp up pressure, reports the Irish Mirror.

Irish travellers can take certain steps to minimise the risk of delays and disruption - if you're able to manage with hand luggage only, this could help you sidestep the problems at the baggage carousels in Spain's busiest airports.

Irish passengers should also keep a very close eye on guidance from their airlines and the latest updates on arrivals and departures from Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports.

British holidaymakers face considerably bleaker prospects - these industrial actions coincide with the introduction of the new Entry Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals across Spain's international airports. British holidaymakers could face a nightmare trying to enter and exit Spain this Easter, as strike action by airport staff combines with the challenges of rolling out a brand new visa, passport and border control system.