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Strike threat looms over Canary Islands as ATC staff announce walkout

Airports
Dea Jusufi
9 April 2026

Spanish air traffic controllers have threatened a period of indefinite strike action, starting next weekend, which could affect operations at more than a dozen airports, including many in the Canary Islands.

Busy airport in Tenerife, Spain
(Credit: iStock/topungato)

The strike is set to begin from Friday 17 April and could impact 14 airports nationwide (Credit: iStock/topungato)

The action has been called by the Union of Air Traffic Controllers and Workers’ Commissions and would get under way at midnight on 17 April.

Should the action go ahead as planned, it could affect SAERCO-managed air traffic control towers at 14 Spanish airports.

ATCs have cited ongoing administrative issues for their decision to strike, including staffing shortages, excessive workloads and irregular shift patterns.

Under the plans, ATCs will strike several times a day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, including from 5am to 7am, 11am to 5pm, and 10pm to midnight.