Groundforce Strike Passes One-Month Mark, Storm Adds to Crisis

The ground crew strike at Barcelona’s main airport — the second-busiest airport in Spain — has stretched past the one-month mark, entering its fifth consecutive week disrupting travel.

Workers first walked off the job on Aug. 4, 2026. The Groundforce Barcelona union represents approximately 1,200 check-in, boarding, baggage, and ramp operation employees at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN). As of Sept. 9, 2026, the strike is ongoing and indefinite.

The strike affects Groundforce’s handling operations. This includes check-in, boarding, baggage, and aircraft ground handling for several airlines, such as Lufthansa, KLM, and Air France. Baggage issues have been a major pain point for travelers impacted by the strike: at its peak, more than 6,000 pieces of luggage had accumulated in airport warehouses awaiting handling, according to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia. Currently, that backlog is approximately 1,000 pieces.

Although the airport remains operational with minimum service levels established by the Ministry of Transport, the strike continues to cause delays and flight cancellations, with an estimated 10 to 14 flights being cancelled per day.

Severe storms on Sept. 8 have added to the chaos. El Pais reported that 30 flights were cancelled and two planes diverted from Barcelona Airport due to torrential downpours. Aena, the body that governs Spain’s airports, said that operations at El Prat are gradually recovering from the storm.