Spain: USCA and CCOO indefinite strike at Saerco control towers, ongoing since 17 April 2026
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Air traffic controllers represented by USCA and CCOO have held an indefinite strike at control towers operated by the private provider Saerco since 00:00 on 17 April 2026. The dispute is over staffing cuts of up to 33%, breaches of mandatory rest periods, and operational-safety concerns.
Affected Saerco-run towers: Madrid–Cuatro Vientos, Sevilla, Jerez, Vigo, A Coruña, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma and El Hierro.
Spain's Ministry of Transport has imposed minimum-service orders throughout the dispute — initially at 100% of staff, which the unions call abusive and which has left the strike largely without operational effect. A further resolution, effective from 1 July 2026, keeps the minimum services in place.
The strike remains active and indefinite, with minimum services reported in force until 31 August 2026.
This alert was originally created on 28 April 2026.
Public Impact
Airport
Effective Dates
Updates
Sep 2, 2026
✎ Update
The indefinite strike by USCA and CCOO air traffic controllers at Saerco-operated control towers is continuing into its fifth month. Spain's Transport Ministry has issued a new minimum-services order dated 1 September 2026 covering the whole of September, which lists nine affected towers: Jerez, A Coruna, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Sevilla, Vigo, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma. Minimum services remain high, especially on island and inter-island routes, so most flights operate, but delays and occasional cancellations are possible at these airports. No agreement between the unions and the company has been reported.
Aug 21, 2026
✎ Update
The strike is still formally under way, in its fifth month.
Spain's Ministry of Transport set minimum services for July and August in a resolution of 25 June, so the action is declared as running through 31 August 2026 unless called off sooner. In practice the impact has been limited: minimum staffing has been set at levels high enough that towers have kept operating, and reporting describes the action as having little operational effect.
USCA and CCOO are pressing for adequate staffing at every tower, respect for aeronautical rest periods, an end to abusive on-call activations, guaranteed leave, and working conditions compatible with operational safety. No agreement has been announced.
Spain's Ministry of Transport set minimum services for July and August in a resolution of 25 June, so the action is declared as running through 31 August 2026 unless called off sooner. In practice the impact has been limited: minimum staffing has been set at levels high enough that towers have kept operating, and reporting describes the action as having little operational effect.
USCA and CCOO are pressing for adequate staffing at every tower, respect for aeronautical rest periods, an end to abusive on-call activations, guaranteed leave, and working conditions compatible with operational safety. No agreement has been announced.
Jul 2, 2026
✎ Update
Severity change, and status update:
- Severity downgraded from Major → Minor. The government imposed minimum services at 100% of staff, which has left the strike largely without operational effect: the first days passed with normal operations at affected airports (Vigo, A Coruña, Sevilla) and reporting describes the action as "sin efecto." With no meaningful delays or cancellations for passengers, a Major rating overstated the public impact. Minor better reflects an active-but-operationally-neutralised strike. (The unions themselves protest the 100% minimum services as abusive precisely because it nullifies the strike's effect.)
- Status: still active and indefinite as of 2 July 2026. A Ministry of Transport minimum-services resolution effective 1 July 2026 keeps it under minimum-service rules (reported in force until 31 August 2026); no credible source indicates it has been called off, suspended, or resolved.
- Severity downgraded from Major → Minor. The government imposed minimum services at 100% of staff, which has left the strike largely without operational effect: the first days passed with normal operations at affected airports (Vigo, A Coruña, Sevilla) and reporting describes the action as "sin efecto." With no meaningful delays or cancellations for passengers, a Major rating overstated the public impact. Minor better reflects an active-but-operationally-neutralised strike. (The unions themselves protest the 100% minimum services as abusive precisely because it nullifies the strike's effect.)
- Status: still active and indefinite as of 2 July 2026. A Ministry of Transport minimum-services resolution effective 1 July 2026 keeps it under minimum-service rules (reported in force until 31 August 2026); no credible source indicates it has been called off, suspended, or resolved.
Jun 28, 2026
✎ Update
Spain’s Ministry of Transport issued a further minimum-services resolution for the USCA/CCOO strike at Saerco-operated towers, published on 26 June 2026 and entering into force on 1 July 2026. It states the strike had not been called off before 30 June and sets minimum services for a new period, confirming the action is continuing beyond 30 June 2026 rather than ending then.
Jun 1, 2026
✎ Update
Spain’s Ministry of Transport issued a new minimum‑services resolution on 28 May 2026 for the USCA/CCOO indefinite strike at Saerco‑operated towers, in force from 1 to 30 June 2026. No suspension or cancellation has been announced; the strike continues daily through June.
Apr 29, 2026
✎ Update
Spain’s Ministry of Transport issued a minimum‑services order on 15 April 2026 for the USCA/CCOO indefinite strike at Saerco‑operated towers, stating it remains in force until 31 May 2026. With no suspension or cancellation announced, the strike continues daily and dates are extended through 31 May 2026.
Organizers
- USCA
- CCOO
Affected Locations
- Jerez de la Frontera
- A Coruña
- Madrid–Cuatro Vientos (Madrid)
- Sevilla
- Vigo
- El Hierro
- Fuerteventura
- Lanzarote
- La Palma
Sources
- https://cdn.transportes.gob.es/portal-web-transportes/aereo/huelga-servicios-minimos/12_260417--resolucion_huelga_saerco_vi.pdf
- https://elpais.com/economia/2026-04-17/la-huelga-indefinida-de-controladores-aereos-de-saerco-afecta-al-aeropuerto-de-sevilla-donde-se-celebra-la-copa-del-rey.html
- https://www.visahq.com/es/news/2026-04-28/es/air-traffic-control-tower-strike-keeps-nine-spanish-airports-on-delay-watch-until-at-least-31-may/
- https://aviaciondigital.com/huelga-indefinida-saerco-controladores-abril-2026/
- https://cdn.transportes.gob.es/portal-web-transportes/aereo/huelga-servicios-minimos/18_260601--resolucion_huelga_saerco_vi.pdf
- https://www.usca.es/usca-y-ccoo-convocan-huelga-indefinida-en-saerco-por-recortes-de-plantilla-y-riesgos-para-la-seguridad-operacional/
- https://cdn.transportes.gob.es/portal-web-transportes/aereo/huelga-servicios-minimos/27_260701--resolucion-huelga-saerco_vi.pdf
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