Barcelona air-traffic controllers to strike this summer

As yet, the dates of the industrial action have not been confirmed, but each strike will last for 24 hours.

According to the Air-Traffic Controllers' Union (USCA), 85% of the membership in Barcelona – or 255 out of 300 – have backed the strike and are expected to join in.

Only workers in the air-traffic control centre will strike – not those in the control tower – but their labour action will affect the entire western Mediterranean arc, given that the Barcelona hub manages flights from the whole of the east coast and the Balearic Islands.

They have opted to down tools from the third week in June in order to clash with peak holiday season and cause as much disruption as possible.

Air-traffic controllers are calling for more staff members, having warned repeatedly that this summer could bring chaos and leave employees stretched to the limits.

The air-traffic control team remains insufficient to cope, says USCA, despite national airspace management governing body ENAIRE having opened a recruitment process for more controllers.

“Air-traffic controllers need a period of time to train and get settled, so even if they are taken on now, they will not be available in time for the holiday season,” USCA warns.

The union says the Barcelona controllers are working extra shifts – they normally work five days on and three days off, but are having to work six days on and two days off because there are not enough of them to cover flight traffic.