First strike hits Spain

A 5 day strike at Iberia starts today, ending on Friday 22nd February, as twenty thousand employees of the Spanish airline protest against the corporate restructuring plan.

Despite the strike, Iberia is currently guaranteeing minimum service levels of 90% of long-haul flights, 61% of short-haul flights and 46% of domestic flights.

Today, 236 flights have been cancelled and the strike action is also affecting other flight companies, such as Vueling, Iberia Express and Air Nostrum.

Two further strikes have already been announced for the periods 4th to 8th March and 18th to 22nd March.

A rally in support of the strike action is taking place today at Madrid’s Barajas airport so it is advisable to travel to Spanish airports, especially the T4 at Madrid airport, by public transport wherever possible. A second rally is planned for Wednesday 20th February.

Iberia has set up a free 24-hour help line for customers (from Spain) on telephone number (+34) 900 100 480, along with the traditional help line at (+34) 902 400 500. Customers may also check the status of their flights on the Iberia website www.iberia.com.

Iberia have stated that they will find seats on Iberia or other airlines for passengers booked on flights cancelled because of the strike and make full refunds when no alternatives are available or acceptable to their customers. Alternative flights have already been found for 70,000 customers whose flights for this week were cancelled.