Potential Impact of Spanish Pilot Strikes on Multiple Airlines During Summer Season

Multiple airline’s plans for the summer could be impacted if pilot strikes go ahead in Spain.

The Spanish Union of Airline Pilots (Sepla) is unhappy about “abusive minimum services” by the country’s Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (MITMA).

Airlines that could be dragged into the industrial dispute include Jet2, Norwegian, easyJet, Ryanair, Iberia, Vueling, Eurowings, Plus Ultra and Swift Air.

A press conference was called by Sepla on May 12, 2023, where the union expresses concern that strikes by Air Nostrum and Air Europa were being restricted by minimum service requirements.

Sepla’s secretary, Javier Fernández-Picazo, has warned that workers in the aviation sector are tired of enduring mistreatment by the Spanish government.

Fernández-Picazo also added that no decision had been finalized but industrial action “is on the table”.

The union hinted additional workers from the aviation sector, such as cabin crew and air traffic controllers, could be pulled into the strikes.

According to the Daily Mail on May 8, Sepla announced eight new strike days at Air Europa for May 22, 23, 25, 26, 29 and 30 and June 1 and 2 in Spain.

It is thought that more than 100 million tourists visit Spain each year, many relying on airlines and particularly during the summer season.

In the United States pilots at Southwest Airlines and American Airlines have voted overwhelmingly to authorize strike action.