August Airport Strikes at Alicante: What Travellers Need to Know About Ryanair and Menzies Walkouts
Sunday, August 10th, 2025
August Brings Disruption for Alicante Airport Passengers
Holidaymakers and business travellers heading through Alicante-Elche Airport this August may face delays, slower boarding and, in the worst case scenario, cancellations, due to two separate ground handling strikes. These walkouts involve staff working for Ryanair’s handling provider Azul Handling, and Menzies Aviation, which serves a number of major international airlines. Both strikes will take place during the peak summer travel season, and in some cases, their schedules overlap, creating the potential for more severe disruption.
When Are the Strikes Taking Place?
Menzies Aviation
Menzies, which handles flights for airlines such as British Airways, Emirates, American Airlines, easyJet, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian and Wizz Air, has announced 24-hour strikes on the following dates:
- 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st of August
These will also impact Alicante-Elche Airport, as it is one of the company’s main Spanish bases.
Azul Handling (Ryanair)
Azul Handling, Ryanair’s in-house ground handling subsidiary in Spain, will be on strike from the 15th of August to the 31st of December. The strikes will take place on three consecutive days initially (15th, 16th, and 17th of August). From then on until the 31st of December 2025, they will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be some service during the strike days, but stoppages will occur during the following hours:
- 05:00 – 09:00
- 12:00 – 15:00
- 21:00 – 23:59
The strikes will affect all Spanish airports where Azul operates, including Alicante-Elche.
Does Azul handle other airlines apart from Ryanair?
Azul Handling is a Ryanair-owned company dedicated exclusively to Ryanair’s operations in Spain. This means that if you are flying with another airline, Azul’s strike will not directly affect your check-in or boarding, unless your flight is scheduled immediately after a Ryanair service that has been delayed, which could cause knock-on effects at the gate.
Strike Overlap: When Both Companies Will Be Out at the Same Time
The most significant disruption is expected on the 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st of August during Azul’s stoppage hours, when both Azul and Menzies will be on strike simultaneously.
Alicante Airport Strike Timetable – August 2025
| DATE | AZUL HANDLING STRIKE TIMES | MENZIES AVIATION STRIKE TIMES | OVERLAP? |
| 15. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | — | ❌ No |
| 16. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | 00:00–23:59 | ✅ Yes |
| 17. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | 00:00–23:59 | ✅ Yes |
| 20. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | — | ❌ No |
| 22. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | — | ❌ No |
| 23. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | 00:00–23:59 | ✅ Yes |
| 24. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | 00:00–23:59 | ✅ Yes |
| 27. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | — | ❌ No |
| 29. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | — | ❌ No |
| 30. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | 00:00–23:59 | ✅ Yes |
| 31. Aug | 05:00–09:00, 12:00–15:00, 21:00–23:59 | 00:00–23:59 | ✅ Yes |
What Do Handling Staff Do?
Ground handling teams carry out all the essential services that keep an airport running smoothly. This includes:
- Passenger services: check-in, boarding gate operations, and assisting passengers with special requirements.
- Baggage handling: loading and unloading luggage, ensuring it reaches the correct flight.
- Aircraft services: guiding planes on the apron, connecting ground power, and preparing aircraft for departure.
When handling staff walk out, it affects almost every stage of a passenger’s journey, from check-in and security queues to boarding times and baggage collection. A lack of staff can cause bottlenecks that ripple through the day’s schedule, meaning even flights outside the strike hours may be delayed.
Tips for Passengers Travelling Through Alicante Airport During the Strikes
- Arrive early: Allow extra time at the airport, especially on overlap dates.
- Check your airline’s updates: Most will post real-time information about delays and cancellations on their website or app.
- Travel light if possible: Minimise checked baggage to speed up your journey.
- Consider travel insurance: Policies that cover delays and cancellations can provide peace of mind.