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Palma Airport strike: Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 told 'hand luggage only'

Two separate groups of workers at Palma Airport in Mallorca are set to walk out for several days, with the airport advising passengers to travel with hand luggage only to avoid disruption especially on 28 July, when the planned strikes overlap

[Palma de Mallorca Airport travellers have been warned of strikes this week]

Palma de Mallorca Airport travellers have been warned of strikes this week(Image: Getty Images)

UK holidaymakers have been advised to 'only take hand luggage' as strikes kick off 'from today' at a Spanish airport. Palma Airport in Mallorca is experiencing walkouts from staff responsible for maintaining baggage belts, sorting systems and tarmac vehicles, as well as those who attach boarding bridges.

Several days of strikes by two separate groups of workers, beginning from today, are set to disrupt operations. And from tomorrow (Tuesday 28), Swissport staff, who oversee airline check-in desks, baggage handling and ramp services at Palma Airport, are also planning a series of strikes during peak times.

They're scheduled to walk out from 7am-12pm and from 7pm until 10pm on Tuesday, and on August 1, 4 and 8 in a dispute over pay and working conditions. The airport issued a statement warning passengers of potential disruption, particularly on 28 July, when the planned strikes coincide.

Palma Airport said in a statement: "Thanks to the minimum service decrees, widespread cancellations are unlikely. The most realistic impact for passengers will be longer waiting times and potential operational bottlenecks."

Under Spanish law, strikes cannot bring services to a halt, but only 50% to 60% of international flights on 'high-demand routes' are guaranteed to operate, along with 100% of inter-island flights and 70% to 80% of domestic flights.

'Widespread' cancellations are 'unlikely', it said, adding: "The most realistic impact for passengers will be longer waiting times and potential operational bottlenecks."

Passengers should anticipate possible delays at check-in nd bag drop desks, boarding gates during morning and evening walkouts, and at baggage carousels upon arrival.

Airlines impacted by the Swissport ground handlers' dispute following a collapse in negotiations between union representatives and management include Tui, Condor TAP Air Portugal, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Albaster and DAT.

Travellers most likely to face disruption are those flying with airlines serviced by Swissport, including TUI. However, the metal sector strike, running from 27-30 July, will impact all airlines operating at Palma, Ibiza and Menorca, including Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.

This could result in hold-ups at baggage carousels and slower aircraft turnarounds.

To minimise disruption, Palma Airport is urging passengers to travel with hand luggage only to avoid potential check-in and baggage carousel delays, to check in online to cut down on queueing time and to monitor airline apps for possible updates.

It advised passengers should adhere to the standard arrival window recommended by their airlines typically two to three hours before departure. "Turning up half a day early can exacerbate airport congestion," it added.

An airport statement revealed the separate action encompasses technical personnel across the entire airport, "meaning its impact will extend beyond Swissport-handled airlines to affect all carriers operating at Palma, Ibiza and Menorca," an airport statement said. "Some airlines at Palma de Mallorca use a different ground handling provider, such as Ryanair, EasyJet, or Jet2. However, large-scale airport strikes can occasionally create a minor knock-on effect. If Swissport-served flights experience delays at the gates, it can sometimes lead to localised congestion on the tarmac or minor delays at security control. That said, any disruption for non-Swissport passengers is expected to be minimal."

Expect delays at check-in and bag drop desks before departure, boarding gates during morning and evening walkouts, and baggage carousels upon landing as unloading from aircraft may take longer than usual.

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