Strike at Barcelona Airport: Your Rights as a Traveler

Due to a strike by ground staff at Barcelona Airport on August 4 and 5, 2026, there may be cancellations and delays for flights to and from Barcelona. Approximately 1,200 employees of the ground handling company Groundforce are participating in the strike. The strike primarily affects check-in, boarding, and baggage handling.
Despite the strike, the Spanish Ministry of Transportation has mandated minimum service levels, requiring that between 35 and 80 percent of flights be operated, depending on the route.

Affected Connections and Airlines

Austrian Airlines flights to and from Barcelona are also affected. Only 60 percent of flights on the Barcelona–Vienna route will operate on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the scheduled 6:10 p.m. departure has been canceled. On the Vienna–Barcelona route, the 3:00 p.m. flight has also been canceled on both days.
Travelers should check the airlines’ websites for the latest information and monitor their flight status regularly. To avoid delays during check-in and baggage drop-off, the apf recommends arriving at the airport earlier than usual.

Your Rights as a Traveler

If a strike causes flight cancellations or delays, affected travelers are entitled to assistance, meals, and lodging. Since this case involves a strike by ground crew rather than the airline itself, it falls under “extraordinary circumstances.” As a result, the otherwise mandatory compensation payment does not apply. However, the right to assistance and support services remains: Travelers are entitled to a refund of their ticket cost or alternative transportation to their destination, as well as meals, beverages, hotel accommodations, and transfers commensurate with the waiting time.
You can find more information about your rights in the event of flight cancellations and delays on the apf website.