Palma Airport Strikes Raise Check-In Delay Risk
A new round of industrial action began at Palma de Mallorca Airport yesterday and is continuing during one of Mallorca’s busiest travel periods. Separate walkouts involving ground-handling and technical workers may slow check-in, bag drop, boarding and baggage collection. Flights have not been widely cancelled, but anyone passing through the airport over the coming days should prepare for possible longer queues and last-minute changes.
When the Palma Walkouts Could Disrupt Trips
- Airport: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)
- Metal-sector strike: 27–30 July, running for 24 hours each day
- Swissport walkouts: 28 July and 1, 4 and 8 August
- Swissport hours: 07:00–12:00 and 19:00–22:00
- Services at risk: Check-in, bag drop, boarding and baggage handling
- Current position: No widespread cancellations announced
- Advice: Check in online, monitor airline alerts and use hand luggage where possible
The continuing metal-sector action covers technical maintenance, ground equipment and airport infrastructure services across the Balearic Islands. Swissport’s separate dispute involves staff providing ground assistance at Palma, with minimum service levels set by Spain’s transport ministry. Disruption may therefore be uneven, depending on the airline and handling provider. TUI says it does not currently expect customer disruption, although delays remain possible around the busiest strike periods.
Most scheduled flights are still expected to operate, so holidays across Mallorca can continue, including visits to Palma’s old town, the Serra de Tramuntana, Sóller, Alcúdia and the island’s coastal resorts. Cabin baggage can make arrival and departure easier by avoiding bag-drop and reclaim queues. Travellers collecting hire cars or meeting transfers should leave extra time between landing and onward arrangements.
Passengers should check in online before reaching the terminal, keep documents and essential medication in hand luggage, and monitor airline alerts for gate or schedule changes. There is little point arriving much earlier than usual, as most check-in desks will still be closed. Anyone checking a bag should allow extra time for possible bag-drop and reclaim delays.
