The strike of air traffic controllers at 16 airports in Spain continues from January 30

from January 30, February 6, 13, 20 and 27 (five Mondays in a row) The strikes are taking place at 16 airports operated by Saerco and Ferronats, so not at all airports in Spain. It’s about airports Alicante Elche (Costa Blanca), Valencia, Murcia, Seville, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma, Jerez de la Frontera, A Coruña, Castellón, Lleida, Sabadell, Vigo, Madrid-Quatro Vientos. At 30 other airports, such as Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca, which are operated by Enaire, there will be no strike.

influences?

In the event of a strike, the government always demands a minimum service. What is not known yet, but it is expected to be high as it relates to safety. We will report this as soon as we find out. So there will be strikes, but this does not mean that flights will be canceled (although this can always happen). It may happen that there will be delays due to fewer air traffic controllers working.

Why is there a strike?

In July 2020, AENA granted control of the control towers of 12 of the 46 airports in Spain for a period of seven years to two companies that paid nearly 102 million euros for it. The first group (Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, Sabadell) went to Veronates, the second group (Vigo, Jerez, Seville, A Coruña, Madrid-Quatro Vientos), the third group (La Palma, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) was outsourced to Circo. . The contract for the then subsidiary of Ferrovial (Ferronats) amounted to 43 million, while Saerco paid 35.5 million for the first installment and 22.8 million for the second and third installments, for a total of 58 million euros.

Both unions are now critical of Saerco’s stance towards reaching any kind of agreement. From the outset, proposals put forward by the representatives at the various meetings were obstructed. Important points of commonality were reached during the negotiations with the Ferronats. However, without a firm agreement, there is still conflict, which is why there are now 160 air traffic controllers. summoned strike for five days.