Spain sets minimum services for SAERCO control-tower strike at nine airports until 30 November

Spain's Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has set minimum services, for 1 October to 30 November 2026, for the indefinite strike by air traffic controllers employed by SAERCO (Servicios Aeronáuticos Control y Navegación). The strike, called by the USCA and CCOO unions, began on 17 April 2026 and concerns the control towers SAERCO runs at Jerez de la Frontera, A Coruña, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Seville, Vigo, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma.

The resolution, signed on 28 September, fully protects emergency flights and Interior Ministry flights. For domestic flights to and from non-peninsular territories and public service obligation routes, the protected share ranges from 65% to 80% of scheduled flights, depending on the airport and the month. For international routes and peninsular routes where ground travel takes five hours or more it is between 51% and 59%, and for peninsular routes under five hours between 32% and 36%. SAERCO reports that 108 workers are affected.

The minimum services mean that part of the scheduled programme at these nine airports must operate while the strike continues, which can still leave other flights exposed to delays or cancellations. The resolution sets percentages for each airport separately, with the higher figure applying when a route links two airports on the list.

The resolution does not identify which individual flights will operate or be cancelled. Passengers flying to or from any of these airports should confirm the status of their flight with their airline before travelling.