Workers at Madrid-Barajas Airport’s Platform Management Service (SDP) have gone on strike, saying their working conditions are unacceptable. These employees, who guide planes on the ground and ensure safe movement of vehicles, claim they’ve dealt with pay cuts, reduced rest periods, and stagnant wages for over a decade.

The union organizing the strike, FeSMC-UGT, also accuses Skyway, the company managing SDP, of failing to follow minimum service agreements during previous strikes.

How Long Will the Strike Last?

The strike began Tuesday, December 10, and will run through Friday, December 14. Every day, it’s in effect from 7:00 a.m. to midnight.

What Does the Strike Affect?

The Platform Management Service is crucial to airport operations. It helps guide planes between gates and runways, coordinates with the control tower, and ensures vehicles and equipment move safely on the tarmac.

While air traffic control isn’t directly involved, the strike could still cause major disruptions. Between 1,500 and 2,000 flights out of the 5,000 scheduled this week may be delayed or canceled.

Government Response: Minimum Service Rules

To minimize chaos, the Ministry of Transport has set strict minimum service levels:

• 74% for flights to islands or non-mainland destinations.
• 54% for domestic routes where alternatives take 5+ hours.
• 31% for shorter domestic routes with faster alternatives.
• 100% for emergency or repatriation flights.

Despite these rules, cancellations and delays are expected.

What Does This Strike Mean for Travelers?

If you’re flying this week, check your flight status frequently. Airlines are required to offer rebooking options or refunds if your flight is canceled.

This strike serves as a reminder of how much behind-the-scenes work goes into air travel. While passengers face inconveniences, workers are pushing for long-overdue changes. Whether an agreement can be reached remains to be seen.

Why It Matters

The strike at Madrid-Barajas Airport highlights the critical role of ground services in keeping airports running smoothly. Without these workers, operations grind to a halt. As talks continue, passengers are left hoping for a resolution before the travel chaos worsens.

Main image: Wikipedia/ Adam Moreira