Transport services in Spain are set for major disruption as unions hold a 24-hour general strike on Wednesday (11 November).
The stoppage, which has been called by the CCOO and UGT unions, is expected to disrupt flights and train services to and from Spain, with public transport networks set to be limited to “minimum services”.
Unions from across all sectors are protesting about wages, working conditions and housing ahead of the country’s general election on 29 November.
Spanish authorities have set minimum guaranteed service levels for flights at the country’s airports on 11 November.
This will guarantee that 57 per cent of international flights from Madrid’s Barajas Airport will operate, as well as 32 per cent of domestic services and 78 per cent of routes to Spanish islands.
At Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, 56 per cent of international flights will operate on 11 November, alongside 34 per cent of domestic flights and 79 per cent of island services.
In a statement to passengers, Iberia said that “some of our flights may be affected” by the strike on 11 November.
“In response to this situation, which is beyond Iberia's control, we are offering our customers alternatives so they can reorganise their trip more conveniently,” added the airline in its advisory.
The Spanish government has mandated that train operator Renfe will run at least 73 per cent of its high-speed AVE and long-distance trains on 11 November, while SNCF’s Ouigo plans to operate 18 of its scheduled 26 services on the day.
Renfe’s services will also be disrupted on both Tuesday and Thursday (10 and 12 November) as train drivers' union SEMAF takes industrial action. This will include a 24-hour strike on 10 November and a series of three “partial” stoppages on 12 November.
The government has guaranteed that at least 72 per cent of the AVE and long-distance trains will operate on 10 and 12 November, with 65 per cent of Renfe’s regional services set to run as scheduled.
The high-speed rail line between Madrid and Seville remains closed after suffering a major accident on 28 October when Renfe and Iryo trains collided, leading to the death of 69 people.