Update 30 October 2026
- Confirmed on 30 October: no strike notice found at Ryanair, Aena or Madrid-Barajas for November in the sources read. The Renfe drivers' strike of 29 October is past.
- Still open: the airport minimum services for the general strike of 11 November are not published (30 October); they are set by the Transport Ministry a few days before, and the unions want to negotiate them first.
- For the airport leg, Welcome Pickups offers a private driver booked in advance, so you do not depend on trains, the metro or buses.
Calendar as of 26 October 2026
| Date | Event | Effect at the airport | Status on 26 October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today and the next days | No strike found at Ryanair, Aena or Barajas | Normal operation | Nothing called |
| Thursday 29 October | Renfe drivers' strike (Semaf) | Cercanías C-1 to T4 at 75% at peak and 50% otherwise | Minimums set by the Transport Ministry |
| Wednesday 11 November | General strike by CCOO and UGT | Flights and minimums not yet published | See the general strike page |
| 15 August to 31 December 2025 (past) | UGT strike at Azul Handling (Ryanair ground handling) | Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, in windows of a few hours | Shows how they are usually called |
| December | No notice found | 6-8 December long weekend very busy | Nothing announced on 26 October |
How strikes work at Spanish airports
- Notice: 10 days in public services; it is registered with the Labour Ministry and reported by the press.
- Minimum services: set by the Transport Ministry a few days before, by type of flight; not all flights are cancelled, but some are.
- Who warns you: the airline writes or calls passengers whose flight is cancelled; also check the Aena website and your airline's app.
- Who can strike: the airline (pilots, cabin crew), ground handling, controllers, security; the effect varies by case.
Your rights under EU261
- Always owed: a refund or replacement flight, and care (meals, hotel, transport) during a long wait.
- Fixed compensation (250, 400 or 600 euros depending on distance): owed if the airline's own staff strike; usually not if third parties strike (controllers, security or ground handling), treated as an extraordinary circumstance.
- Ryanair: if the strike is by a separate handling company, the airline may refuse compensation; claim in writing and keep everything.
- Where it applies: to flights departing from an EU airport, such as Barajas, and to flights arriving in the EU on a European airline.
Getting to the airport and where to sleep nearby
Outside Renfe strikes, metro line 8, the Exprés bus (5 euros) and the fixed-fare taxi at 33 euros inside the M-30 reach Barajas: see Madrid-Barajas airport. If you have an early flight or fear a cancellation, a night near the airport removes the risk: our guide to hotels near Barajas compares the areas. For the train and general strike dates read the Renfe strike and the 11 November general strike, and for the general rules Strikes and protests in Madrid.
Flight cancelled or delayed by a strike: are you owed compensation?
- Who is covered: EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) applies to flights leaving the EU (any airline) and flights into the EU on an EU airline.
- Amounts: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km, if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. The amount can be cut by 50% if you are rerouted at times close to the original.
- Strike: the case on this page — It depends on who is on strike. A strike by the airline's own staff (pilots, cabin crew) usually gives a right to compensation (CJEU, TUIfly 2018 and SAS 2021). An air traffic control strike, an airport staff strike or a general strike is usually an extraordinary circumstance: no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rebooking and care (meals, hotel).
- Claim for free: directly with the airline, using the form on its website; keep your boarding pass and all proofs. Deadline depends on the country — Spain: 5 years.
- Claims service: AirHelp checks your flight for free and handles the claim, taking a commission only if it wins (about 35% of the compensation, VAT included, plus 15% if legal action is needed). You can also claim yourself at no cost.
What to do safely during the airport strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Outing that does not depend on the strike: Toledo and Segovia, organised trip with transport included, no train or bus to book yourself.
- Airport hotel, free cancellation: hotels near Madrid-Barajas airport, refundable if your flight is cancelled or moved.
FAQ
Is there a Ryanair strike in Spain today?
As of 26 October 2026 we found no strike called at Ryanair or in its ground handling. The last known was Azul Handling's, until 31 December 2025.
Is there a strike at Barajas airport in November?
We found no notice. The 11 November general strike can affect flights; minimum services are not published.
Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled by a strike?
A refund or replacement flight and care, always. The 250-600 euro compensation depends on who strikes: owed if it is the airline's staff, usually not if it is third parties.
Sources consulted on 26 October 2026: Hosteltur and RTVC (August 2025, Azul Handling strike), Moncloa (16 October), El Diario de Madrid (26 October), Infobae (22 October). This page will be updated if a strike is called.
