Strike-tracker platform data confirm that maintenance engineers for the SATE automated baggage system at Madrid-Barajas will continue their partial work-stoppages five days a week until 30 November. Although classified as “minor,” the action has already forced Iberia to off-load 620 transfer bags manually since 1 November and triggered occasional belt shutdowns in T4S. For corporations moving assignees via Madrid, the risk lies in missed onward connections: TSA security rules prevent unaccompanied luggage from following on a later flight without passenger re-verification, meaning travellers may have to be re-ticketed. Travel-management companies recommend avoiding tight (<90-minute) layovers until December. Airport operator AENA says contingency teams are in place and claims average wait times at reclaim belts have risen only three minutes, but unions dispute the figure and threaten a full walk-out if talks stall. Mobility managers should also note parallel Metro de Granada and Segovia bus strikes, which could complicate first-mile/last-mile journeys for relocating employees arriving from Madrid.
Source: Strike Tracker
