Holidaymakers heading to Spain over Easter have been warned of travel disruption as airports begin planning strikes. Baggage handlers and ground staff from two major companies are planning to take industrial action during Semana Santa, also known as Holy Week. Holy Week, which takes place a week before Easter, is one of the busiest times of the year, with millions of people using Spain’s airports.

However, those planning to travel to or within the country have been advised to prepare as The General Workers’ Union (UGT) has announced strike action on March 28 and 29, while the Menzies Group, which employs around 3,000 people across Spain, plans a walkout for between April 2 and April 6.

Groundforce staff have called an indefinite strike starting from March 27. The walkout will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5am to 7am, 11am and 5pm, and 10pm to midnight. It comes as employees are fed up with overworking conditions.

Longer check-in queues, delays in baggage loading and unloading, and slower boarding are the sort of hold-ups passengers should expect as a result of the strike action.

According to Olive Press, airport staff have decided to take action after talks with the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service, a Spanish body that deals with disputes between unions and employers, fell through.

And it has been warned that more strike days could be planned if a new deal is not reached soon.

The Spanish Government is working to enforce minimum service levels to prevent cancellations. However, holidaymakers are still being urged to check flight statuses regularly and to arrive early, particularly those who need to check in any baggage, as delays are inevitable.

Airports likely to be impacted include Madrid-Barajas, Malaga, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Sevilla and Barcelona El Prat.

Both companies also operate at a host of smaller travel hubs, including Bilbao, Zaragoza, Santiago de Compostela and airports in the popular Canary Islands and Balearics, which could also be affected.