What was supposed to be a smooth getaway for thousands of Britons heading to Spain has quickly turned into a headache.
Madrid’s busiest airport was thrown into chaos as staff walked off the job, sparking long queues, missed flights, and growing frustration among holidaymakers.
Strike Brings Madrid Airport to a Standstill
The disruption hit Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport after passenger control staff announced an “indefinite and full-time” strike.
Their dispute is with Trablisa, the private company managing the security lanes.
With around 800 workers involved, unions say their workload “far exceeds” that of staff at other Spanish airports, pushing them to take drastic action.
Passengers Face Endless Queues
Travellers described the scene as nothing short of chaotic. Images shared online showed snaking queues stretching across terminals, with some tourists stranded for hours.
Reports said passport control lines left people at a standstill, while the wait for security stretched well beyond 90 minutes.
One exasperated traveller posted on X: “There was a detour to take the bus to the airport, they changed the stop.
I arrive at Barajas and there is a three-block queue for security control due to a strike.”
Another added: “When I talk about kilometre-long queues at Terminal 4, I’m not exaggerating.”
Airport Authority Responds
AENA, the state-owned airport authority, acknowledged the situation, confirming on X that security times were “longer than usual” because of the strike.
They apologised for the inconvenience but stopped short of offering solutions.
With nearly 6 million Britons flying to Spain each year, the fallout from the strike is expected to ripple through holiday plans in the coming weeks.
More Strikes on the Horizon
Unfortunately for travellers, this may only be the beginning. More industrial action is planned later in September.
On September 26, national 24-hour walkouts will include baggage handlers, the union CUB Trasporti, and staff from Volotea.
Cagliari Elmas Airport security workers are also set for a full-day strike, while Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports are bracing for four-hour stoppages from baggage handlers.
FLAI Transport and Services staff are also expected to join in.
The advice for passengers? Check schedules well in advance to avoid nasty surprises.
What Travellers Need to Know About Compensation
Ivalyo Danailov, CEO of SkyRefund, explained that not all passengers will qualify for financial compensation.
Those flying with airlines like EasyJet or Volotea may be entitled to payouts if the strike involves airline staff, since that falls under the carrier’s responsibility.
But if the disruption is caused by airport staff such as security workers or baggage handlers, travellers are less likely to receive compensation, as these are considered “extraordinary circumstances.”
Still, airlines must provide basic support to passengers facing long delays—this includes meals, drinks, communication access, and even hotel stays if necessary.
Danailov stressed: “We strongly advise all travellers to keep themselves informed about potential disruptions on the affected days.”