An indefinite strike by Groundforce ground-handling staff at Barcelona-El Prat Airport has begun, disrupting check-in, boarding and flight coordination at one of Spain’s busiest hubs. The action, called by the CGT union section, affects services for airlines using Groundforce in Barcelona and has already led to flight cancellations as the operation enters its first day.
Groundforce, part of Globalia, employs 1,179 workers in the Barcelona operation. The dispute centres on alleged deterioration in occupational-risk prevention and health and safety conditions, alongside staffing shortfalls and heavier workloads. Air services scheduled through the operation were expected to total about 11,600 flights between the start of the strike and September, with roughly 2.4 million seats on offer.
Spain’s Transport Ministry has estimated the stoppage could affect nearly two million passengers across August and September. The disruption adds to pressure on airport operations during the peak summer travel period, with the impact likely to depend on how long the strike continues and how airlines adjust ground-handling schedules.