Air traffic controllers have announced an indefinite strike across Andalucia and wider Spain.

The walkout has been called by two trade unions – Union Sindical de Controladores Aereos (USCA) and Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) – targeting private air navigation provider Saerco.

The strike is set to start on April 17 and will impact control towers operated by Saerco, including key airports in southern Spain such as Sevilla and Jerez.

Among those affected are Sevilla, Jerez, Cuatro Vientos (Madrid), Vigo, A Coruña, La Palma, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

While major hubs like Malaga are not directly included, disruption at regional towers can still have knock-on effects across wider flight networks, particularly during the busy spring and early summer travel period.

Unions say the strike is being driven by serious concerns over staffing shortages and working conditions, warning that these issues are now impacting operational safety.

According to USCA and CCOO, air traffic control ‘cannot be sustained by a workforce subjected to constant fatigue, stress and uncertainty’.

They claim controllers are facing insufficient rest periods, unpredictable schedules and excessive availability demands, all of which they argue undermine concentration in a safety-critical role.

The unions are calling for urgent structural changes, including increased staffing across all affected towers, guaranteed rest periods in line with aviation standards, an end to what they describe as ‘abusive’ availability requirements, and proper holiday allocation and work-life balance.

They argue the situation is the result of years of cost-cutting, understaffing and poor planning, creating what they describe as a ‘structural problem’ within the service.

If no agreement is reached, delays and cancellations could follow, particularly on routes involving the affected regional airports.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.