Brits heading to Majorca are being warned of airport chaos at the end of this week. A protest threatens to bring the busy Spanish airport to total standstill in just days, with cancellations and delays expected.
Airport staff will take part in the protest, which is expected to last for at least three hours, this Friday (July 25). Both domestic and international flights face disruption with passengers urged to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. They are also recommended to check the status of their flights ahead of their journey.
As reported by the Mirror, the workers, who are under the UGT trade union, are protesting against “suffocating” working conditions. The union has called for the rally at Palma Airport on Friday to denounce the “situation of unsustainable precariousness” in the Balearic air sector.
They claim that staff aren’t treated properly, with incorrect holiday allocations and a lack of career progression. The union also said staff need uniforms which “respect their dignity”, with clothing adapted to adverse weather conditions.
UGT has accused companies such as Jet2, Ryanair, Easyjet and Eurowings, among others, of exploiting workers. They are calling for additional qualified personnel in management roles as well as the provision of adequate vehicles and work tools.
The ongoing improvement works at Palma Airport have also been criticised as the union claims they are having an impact on the health and safety of staff. Workers are also demanding free parking and a new cafeteria with affordable prices.
The UGT has warned that protests will continue if the airport authority AENA does not resolve the issues. It comes after the Balearic government recently called for action over an “accumulation of incidents” at the airport.
Officials said delays, cancellations and overbooking at Palma Airport are harming its tourism reputation. They have reportedly caused a number of recent complaints.
A spokesperson for the government said: “From Consumer Affairs, it is stressed that air traffic in the Balearic Islands is not only key for tourism but also an essential public service for the connectivity of citizens, especially in an island territory such as the Balearic Islands.
“However, delays, cancellations and overbooking cause a growing volume of complaints, generate widespread discomfort and project a very negative image of the islands.
“The Consumer Affairs Department of the Ministry of Health considers it essential that the competent aviation authorities are extremely vigilant and control during the high season and ensure compliance with European Regulation 261/2004, which protects the rights of passengers in the event of service interruptions.
“Likewise, the General Directorate denounces that the execution of works at Palma airport in the middle of high season generates a context of general discomfort, collapse in accesses and transit areas, and long waits at security controls, with direct damage to both passengers and staff working in the facilities.
“For all these reasons, Consumer Affairs calls on the central government to adopt measures to guarantee the proper functioning of air traffic in the Balearic Islands and protect the rights of passengers and the safety of users.”