air traffic control strike la palma el hierro april 2026

Air Traffic Control Strike Hits La Palma and El Hierro Airports

Flight Disruption Warning for La Palma and El Hierro

Passengers planning to travel to or from the two islands in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife could face delays and disruptions to their flights. This follows the launch of an indefinite strike by air traffic controllers, called by the Unión Sindical de Controladores Aéreos (USCA) and the CCOO union. The industrial action began at 00:00 on Friday, 17 April.

Strike Action at Key Island Airports

The walkouts affect control towers managed by the company Saerco. In the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, this impacts operations at two airports: La Palma Airport and El Hierro Airport. While the Spanish airport authority Aena has stated that minimum services will be guaranteed, delays and even cancellations are possible at both airfields.

Advice for Affected Passengers

Consumer organisations are recommending that passengers check the status of their flights directly via their airline’s apps. They also advise arriving at the airport well in advance in case of any last-minute issues. There is currently no indication that the strike will be called off, meaning operational problems could persist for several days.

Unions’ Demands and Stalled Negotiations

Through this strike, USCA and CCOO aim to force a structural solution to the problems faced by air traffic controllers at Saerco. Their key demands include increased staffing, respect for rest periods, more stable shift planning, and working conditions they claim are compatible with operational safety. The unions have also requested mediation through the Servicio Interconfederal de Mediación y Arbitraje in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Previous meetings between the unions and the company have failed to produce an agreement. This lack of consensus and the ongoing labour dispute have now escalated, resulting in disruption for two of the province’s airports.

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