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Spain: USCA and CCOO indefinite strike at Saerco control towers, ongoing since 17 April 2026

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Minor Aviation (air traffic control - towers)

Air traffic controllers represented by USCA and CCOO have held an indefinite strike at control towers operated by the private provider Saerco since 00:00 on 17 April 2026. The dispute is over staffing cuts of up to 33%, breaches of mandatory rest periods, and operational-safety concerns.

Affected Saerco-run towers: Madrid–Cuatro Vientos, Sevilla, Jerez, Vigo, A Coruña, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma and El Hierro.

Spain's Ministry of Transport has imposed minimum-service orders throughout the dispute — initially at 100% of staff, which the unions call abusive and which has left the strike largely without operational effect. A further resolution, effective from 1 July 2026, keeps the minimum services in place.

The strike remains active and indefinite, with minimum services reported in force until 31 August 2026.

This alert was originally created on 28 April 2026.

Public Impact

✈️ Airport

Effective Dates

Updates

Jul 2, 2026
Severity change, and status update:

- Severity downgraded from Major → Minor. The government imposed minimum services at 100% of staff, which has left the strike largely without operational effect: the first days passed with normal operations at affected airports (Vigo, A Coruña, Sevilla) and reporting describes the action as "sin efecto." With no meaningful delays or cancellations for passengers, a Major rating overstated the public impact. Minor better reflects an active-but-operationally-neutralised strike. (The unions themselves protest the 100% minimum services as abusive precisely because it nullifies the strike's effect.)

- Status: still active and indefinite as of 2 July 2026. A Ministry of Transport minimum-services resolution effective 1 July 2026 keeps it under minimum-service rules (reported in force until 31 August 2026); no credible source indicates it has been called off, suspended, or resolved.
Jun 28, 2026
Spain’s Ministry of Transport issued a further minimum-services resolution for the USCA/CCOO strike at Saerco-operated towers, published on 26 June 2026 and entering into force on 1 July 2026. It states the strike had not been called off before 30 June and sets minimum services for a new period, confirming the action is continuing beyond 30 June 2026 rather than ending then.
Jun 1, 2026
Spain’s Ministry of Transport issued a new minimum‑services resolution on 28 May 2026 for the USCA/CCOO indefinite strike at Saerco‑operated towers, in force from 1 to 30 June 2026. No suspension or cancellation has been announced; the strike continues daily through June.
May 29, 2026
As of 29 May 2026, no credible announcements indicate the strike has been suspended or canceled. The Ministry’s minimum‑services order remains in force through 31 May 2026, and recent coverage notes the action continues daily with limited impact due to high minimum services.
Apr 29, 2026
Spain’s Ministry of Transport issued a minimum‑services order on 15 April 2026 for the USCA/CCOO indefinite strike at Saerco‑operated towers, stating it remains in force until 31 May 2026. With no suspension or cancellation announced, the strike continues daily and dates are extended through 31 May 2026.

Organizers

Affected Locations

  • Jerez de la Frontera
  • A Coruña
  • Madrid–Cuatro Vientos (Madrid)
  • Sevilla
  • Vigo
  • El Hierro
  • Fuerteventura
  • Lanzarote
  • La Palma

Sources

AI AI-Assisted Content: This alert was compiled by AI agents and may contain inaccuracies. Please check the cited sources above. Learn more about our AI.