Air traffic controllers have warned of "significant delays and cancellations" during the 24-hour strike called for tomorrow (Monday) by 162 staff at 12 control towers that were privatized in 2020, including four in the Canary Islands at Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, and El Hierro airports.
They are advising passengers who are scheduled to fly to or from one of the affected airports tomorrow, to check with their airline beforehand to confirm their flight, as many users are complain on social media about the lack of information from airlines about the status of their flights.
The warning comes after the announcement of the ‘minimum services’ by the Ministry of Transport, which is the guarantee of staff they will supply to cover the service.
The level of protection of flights depends on their type and the territories it connects, for example, in the case of domestic routes between islands, 70% of the flights from Fuerteventura, 69% of the flights from El Hierro and Lanzarote, and 61% from La Palma are protected.
In the case of flights with mainland Spain, the guarantee of service drops to 53% for Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and to 44% El Hierro is not on the list because it does not have direct flights to mainland Spain.
There is no official information on international flights as they are operated by overseas airlines. This means that delays are expected more than cancellations but you are still advised to check with your airline beforehand.
What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled?
Replacement Flight: In most cases, the airline must find you an alternative flight to your destination, and may also offer you food, drink, and access to communication. For delays that require an overnight stay, the company may be able to provide a hotel and transportation to and from the airport.
Gather information: Keep your boarding pass and all other travel documents. Stay informed at all times of what the problem is and keep copies of all communications from the airline. Keep receipts for anything you had to buy because of the problem. Write down the time of arrival at your destination.
Claim compensation later: If you have not taken an alternative flight, you are entitled to a full refund of your ticket. Ask the airline to pay for any additional expenses caused by the problem, for example, lodging, food, or replacement of lost luggage. Also, don't forget if you are entitled to additional compensation.
Here is a link to air passenger rights to see if you can qualify for compensation: https://travelrefund.com
