Barcelona-El Prat Airport remains under pressure as the indefinite strike by Groundforce baggage-handling staff reaches its sixth week. Although the dispute began on 4 August, airport operator Aena issued a new advisory on 15 September warning of “sporadic but severe” baggage delays after talks between the CGT union and Groundforce management again ended without agreement. The walk-out covers roughly 1,800 workers responsible for ramp services to more than 40 airlines, including Iberia, Lufthansa and Emirates. Aena says average bag delivery time for arriving passengers last weekend was 48 minutes, more than double the contractual target. Several carriers have temporarily reduced baggage-allowance limits and are urging passengers to travel with hand luggage only. For outbound flights, check-in cut-off times have been brought forward by up to 45 minutes on high-frequency European routes. Companies running same-day meetings in Madrid or Lisbon are advising travellers to avoid checking bags and to build extra time into security and boarding processes. The union seeks parity with handling staff at Madrid-Barajas, claiming wage differentials of up to €180 per month. Groundforce argues that the demands are “incompatible with the current cost-recovery model” agreed under Aena’s handling licences. Mediation by the Catalan labour department is set to resume on 19 September, but no breakthrough is expected before the busy October conference season. Travel-risk consultants recommend contingency routing through Girona-Costa Brava or Valencia for groups with tight schedules and warn that missed-connection insurance clauses may not cover strike-related delays unless travellers arrive at the airport by the revised airline deadlines.
Source: Strike Tracker
