As Spain enters the peak summer travel period, its airports are facing severe disruptions from both labor strikes and a new electronic border system.
Issues with Spain's EES Border Control System
The European Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully launched in April 2026. According to Ryanair, the worst bottlenecks are at Tenerife South Airport and César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, where slow processing creates long lines. Queues of up to two hours have also been reported at Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Málaga, and Alicante airports. Around ten EU countries have urged Brussels to simplify entry procedures for the remainder of the tourist season, but European authorities have not responded to these requests.
Palma de Mallorca Airport Workers Stage Strikes
At Palma de Mallorca Airport on Majorca, staff strikes are scheduled to last until the end of summer 2026. Organized by several unions, the walkouts involve maintenance, ground equipment, and infrastructure personnel. Specifically, 24-hour strikes will take place from July 27 to July 30. Additionally, Swissport has announced strikes on July 28 and on August 1, 4, and 8, each running from 7:00 to 12:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00. July 28 is expected to be particularly disruptive as multiple worker groups walk out simultaneously.
The Palma strikes could lead to major flight disruptions, especially during the peak tourist season.
Given the existing delays at passport control, these protests are likely to worsen travel conditions for the millions of tourists planning to visit Spain. The lack of reaction from EU institutions to calls for eased entry rules underscores the urgency of resolving the problem to protect the tourism industry.
As the situation at Spanish airports continues to deteriorate, the implementation of the new EU entry-exit system has been a major contributor to the chaos. With long queues and ongoing labor strikes, travelers may find themselves facing unprecedented delays this summer. Understanding the full impact of these changes is crucial for anyone planning to fly to or within Spain during this peak travel season.