The impending strike by the CCOO, UGT, and USO unions targeting the Iberia Airport Service from 5th to 8th January — a period coinciding with the Three Kings holiday and the post-holiday return of countless individuals to their homes or workplaces — is set to significantly disrupt air travel. This industrial action, aimed at pressuring the company to address a labor dispute triggered by the loss of handling licenses at key national airports, is slated to result in the cancellation of 444 flights across Iberia, Iberia Express, and Air Nostrum. Consequently, this will affect 45,641 passengers who had already booked their travel.
In response to the looming service disruptions, Iberia is offering affected customers the option to modify their flight dates or receive a full refund, providing a means to reorganize or seek alternate travel arrangements.
Breaking down the impact, the strike will necessitate the cancellation of 270 flights by Iberia, 64 by Iberia Express, and 110 by Air Nostrum. The airlines are actively seeking alternative solutions for the over 45,600 passengers set to be affected by these cancellations and will communicate possible rebooking options in the coming days.
Despite the significant number of cancellations, Iberia intends to operate 836 out of its 1,106 scheduled flights during this period, representing 76% of its total operations. This includes nearly all long-haul flights, even those operated by Level. Of the 270 Iberia cancellations, 51% are domestic while 49% are European routes. Iberia Express plans to run 88% of its flights, and Air Nostrum expects to maintain 72% of its service.
Passengers booked on flights scheduled for 5th through 8th January affected by the strike are entitled from this Friday to request either a change to their travel date or a refund of their ticket costs. Those whose flights aren’t directly impacted by the strike also have the option to modify their travel dates or opt for a voucher.
To facilitate these changes, passengers can use the Iberia website, contact the travel agencies where they made their bookings, or reach out to the customer service center, which is bolstering its staff to handle the increased demand.
In anticipation of the expected disruptions at airports due to the strike, Iberia is advising all passengers to check in online in advance and to arrive at the airport earlier than usual to navigate the potential delays and complications.
