The Iberia Group has been forced to cancel 444 scheduled flights next week, between January 5th and 8th, due to a strike by its handling personnel impacting a total of 45,600 travellers.
Of the total cancelled flights during the protest days, which coincide with Kings Day (Reyes) on January 6th which is one of the busiest times of year for travel in Spain, 270 belong to Iberia, 64 to Iberia Express, and 110 to Air Nostrum.
The strike, called by the unions CCOO, UGT, and USO, follows Iberia's loss of handling services at several major airports in the country in the contest held by the airport manager AENA in September. Negotiations for "auto handling" in these airports concluded without an agreement.
Iberia plans to operate 836 flights, 76% of the total 1,106 scheduled, aiming to ensure the departure of nearly all long-haul flights (including LEVEL) and the maximum possible number of short and medium-haul flights.
Among the 270 cancellations, 51% will be domestic services within Spain and the Canary Islands, and 49% will be European, while Iberia Express is set to operate 88% of its flights, and Air Nostrum, 72%.
In a statement on Friday, Iberia assured that the group's companies would offer "the best possible alternatives" to the 45,600 passengers affected by the cancellations, allowing them to proceed with their journeys.
They will be informed in the next few days of rebooking options for other flights. Those with reservations for January 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th can request a change of travel date or a refund for the amount paid for their tickets.
Customers with flights not directly affected by the strike can also change their travel dates or request a voucher. Changes can be made through the Iberia website, the travel agencies where the purchase was made, or the company's Customer Service Centre, which will reinforce its staff, though longer waiting times are anticipated, the airline warned.
Given the expected disruptions at airports due to the strike, Iberia urges all passengers to check in online in advance and arrive at airports earlier than usual before flying.
