Travellers in Spain face weeks of disruption as Ryanair’s ground staff prepare for a large-scale strike set to affect nearly all major airports.

The UGT (General Union of Workers) has called a general strike at all Spanish airports where Azul Handling, Ryanair’s ground operations subsidiary, is active. The action is set to begin on 15 August in protest against alleged overtime abuse and disciplinary sanctions imposed on workers.

According to a union press release, the strike will take place on 15, 16, and 17 August, then continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until 31 December 2025.

The walkouts will affect all of Azul Handling’s bases and work centers in Spain, with disruptions expected during three daily time slots: 5am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm, and 9pm to 11.59pm.

Ryanair operates in numerous Spanish cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Alicante, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Girona, Lanzarote, and Santiago de Compostela.

The UGT and CGT (General Confederation of Labour) unions had already announced a 22-day strike earlier this year, initially limited to Madrid-Barajas Airport. However, the scope has since expanded to cover the entire national network.

The union accuses the company of failing to create stable jobs and not consolidating the working hours of permanent part-time staff. It also denounces what it describes as “obligatory and coercive” overtime practices, with “disproportionate sanctions” for those who refuse extra hours.

Flights departing from Luxembourg Airport could be affected, as Ryanair connects Findel with Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and Palma de Mallorca. From Charleroi, the airline serves nearly all major Spanish airports.

Travellers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to consult Ryanair's updates for any contingency plans during what could become one of the longest strikes in the airline’s history.