Air traffic controllers announce indefinite strike from April 17, with Fuerteventura among affected airports
Air traffic controllers working in towers managed by SAERCO have called an indefinite strike starting at 00:00 hours on April 17, marking a new episode of labor conflict that will affect several Aena‑network airports, including Fuerteventura.
The call‑off was driven by the unions Unión Sindical de Controladores Aéreos (USCA) and Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and comes amid rising tension in the sector, coinciding with partial walkouts by Groundforce (Globalia) ground staff, who are active several days a week at various airports across the country.
In addition to Fuerteventura, SAERCO provides tower services at the following airports:
- Vigo
- Jerez
- Sevilla
- A Coruña
- Madrid‑Cuatro Vientos
- Several Canary Islands aerodromes (La Palma, Lanzarote, El Hierro)
- Remote‑control facilities
- The private airport of Ciudad Real
They Denounce a Structural Problem
The convening unions argue that the strike does not stem from isolated incidents but from a structural problem caused by years of staff reductions, workload overload, and organisational improvisation.
Key grievances include:
- Cancellation of already approved vacations
- Intensive use of on‑call availability
- Shift changes communicated with minimal notice
- Lack of clarity in rosters, especially regarding mandatory rest periods
According to the unions, this situation is leading to a progressive deterioration of working conditions that could affect operational safety. In this regard, they warn that
“Aviation safety cannot be sustained on a workforce subjected to fatigue, stress and permanent uncertainty.”
Failed Negotiation Attempts
USCA and CCOO explain that, before calling the strike, they sought to open a negotiation channel with SAERCO, but the scheduled meetings were repeatedly postponed or cancelled by the company.
“Aviation safety cannot be sustained on a workforce subjected to fatigue, stress and permanent uncertainty.”
The pre‑notice also states that mandatory mediation has been requested from the Inter‑confederal Service of Mediation and Arbitration (SIMA), yet no agreement has been reached to unlock the dispute.
The strike call comes in parallel with the Groundforce ground‑staff walkout, which affects 11 airports—including Fuerteventura—with partial stoppages on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.