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Spain General Strike (Nov 11): 300+ Flights Cancelled, 1 in 4 AVE Trains Off, 50+ Arrests, Metro Times and Your Refund Rights

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Spain's first general strike in 14 years is under way today, Wednesday, November 11, 2026. It runs for 24 hours from midnight and was called by the country's two biggest unions, CCOO and UGT, over housing costs, wages and prices. By 10am Spanish time Aena had logged 234 cancelled flights out of 4,529 planned (about 5%), with Barcelona-El Prat the worst hit big airport at 85 cancellations. Trains run on government-ordered minimum services: 73% of AVE and long-distance services and 75% of Cercanias commuter trains at peak times. By 2pm the count had risen to 289 cancelled flights, about 6.4% of the day's schedule.[30] If you are flying to or from Spain today, check your flight before you leave, and expect thin metro and bus services in Madrid and especially Barcelona.[1][5][8][10]

This is a current event. Updated 19:31 GMT, November 11: By the evening more than 300 flights had been cancelled across Spain's airports, Renfe cut 24% of AVE and long-distance trains, and the interior ministry counted more than 50 arrests and 919 incidents by 5pm. Union turnout figures are the unions' own estimates. First published 10:38 GMT.
Spain general strike, 11 November 2026
Spain general strike November 11, 2026: 234 flights cancelled by 10am Spanish time out of 4,529 planned, AVE trains at 73 percent minimum service, 85 cancellations at Barcelona El Prat, Trend Brief Today cover
DateWednesday, November 11, 2026 (24 hours from midnight)
Called byCCOO and UGT, backed by tenants' groups and smaller unions
Slogan"Salaries. Housing. Prices."
Last general strike2012
Flights cancelled234 of 4,529 (to 10:00 CET, Aena)
International flights protected39% to 64%
AVE / long distance73% minimum service
Cercanias75% at peak, 50% rest of day
Barcelona metro and buses25%, only 06:30-09:30 and 16:30-21:00
Madrid Metro80% at peak, 50% rest of day
UK adviceFCDO: check with your travel provider
General electionNovember 29, 2026

What is happening in Spain today?

Millions of workers were expected to walk out on Wednesday in a 24-hour general strike that started at midnight. The Associated Press and France 24 describe it as Spain's first general strike in 14 years, and Al Jazeera notes that the last time CCOO and UGT jointly called one was in 2012, during the austerity crisis.[1][2][3]

The early hours were tense in places. Pickets blocked roads in Barcelona, some with burning tyres, and police clashed with pickets at Mercamadrid, the big wholesale food market outside Madrid. Servimedia, 20minutos and France 24 all report 13 people needing medical attention there and one arrest.[1][2][15][18] Marches are planned in the big cities later in the day.[18]

Why are Spanish workers striking?

Housing is the core of it. Rents have almost doubled in ten years, and the average rent of 1,176 euros a month is roughly what a young worker earns, according to Spanish Youth Council figures quoted by Al Jazeera and France 24. The Bank of Spain puts the housing shortfall at about 750,000 homes, rising past a million by 2028.[2][3]

Anger boiled over after the televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman from the Madrid flat she had lived in for decades, and her death afterwards. Housing activists used the outcry to push for a general strike, and the two big unions joined. Their demands include more state action on housing and a new minimum wage deal with employers; tenants' groups also want limits on tourist flats and automatic lease renewals.[1][2][19]

The timing is political. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for November 29 after parliament rejected his emergency housing decrees, and the opposition Popular Party and Vox say the strike is aimed at helping the government. Political scientist Oriol Bartomeus told the AP that the Socialists need a strike that is both big and peaceful to pull the campaign back to housing.[1][2][3]

Spain strike flights: what is cancelled?

Flights are running, but fewer of them. Aena told Europa Press that 234 of the 4,529 flights scheduled across its airports had been cancelled by 10:00 Spanish time (09:00 GMT), or 5.2%. It says airlines had already rescheduled flights and moved passengers onto other departures in the days before the strike, so many travellers were rebooked before today.[8][9]

AirportCancelledScheduled todayTime of count
All Aena airports2344,52910:00 CET
Barcelona-El Prat85734Morning
Palma de Mallorca2123208:30 CET
Madrid-Barajas61,09708:30 CET
Canary Islands (all)61,17608:30 CET
Menorca43608:30 CET
Ibiza06308:30 CET

Sources for the table: Aena counts via Europa Press and EFE, published by El Confidencial, Diario de Santiago, Diario Palentino and Ultima Hora.[8][10][11][12][13][14]

Spain general strike flight cancellations: 234 of 4,529 across Aena airports by 10am, Barcelona El Prat 85 of 734, Palma 21, Madrid Barajas 6 of 1,097
Barcelona is the worst-hit big airport so far, with about one in nine flights cancelled. Aena says airlines had already rescheduled flights and moved passengers in the days before the strike, so many changes happened before today. Source: Aena via Europa Press, EFE, El Confidencial, Ultima Hora, Nov 11, 2026

Barcelona has the extra problem of getting to the airport. El Prat stays open, but the metro is on 25% service, the Aerobus shuttle on 50%, and pickets have blocked roads such as the Ronda Litoral, according to Aena and EFE reports.[10][11]

Minimum flight services set by the government

Spain's Transport Ministry ordered airlines to keep a share of flights in three bands, based on how easily passengers could get there another way. International flights, which covers most routes to the UK, Ireland and the US, are protected at between 39% and 64% depending on the airport. Island routes get more protection, and short domestic hops with a train alternative get the least.[4][6][7]

Spain general strike minimum flight services: international flights 39 to 64 percent, Canary Islands 56 to 74 percent, Balearics 68 to 75 percent, short domestic routes 18 to 37 percent
The ministry set three bands of protection based on how easy it is to reach the destination another way. International flights, the band most UK and Irish holidaymakers fall into, are protected at 39% to 64% depending on the airport. Source: Spain Ministry of Transport resolution via Europa Press and Valencia Plaza, Nov 10-11, 2026

The same order keeps 75% of staff for assistance to passengers with reduced mobility and for airport medical services, and tells passport control to keep enough officers so the average wait does not pass 30 minutes. Emergency and state flights run in full.[4][6]

Which airlines are affected?

Iberia warned that some of its November 11 flights would be affected. Anyone booked on Iberia, Iberia Express or Air Nostrum today can move their trip to a date up to November 26 or ask for a refund or voucher, even if the flight still operates.[20][21][22] Lufthansa Group said cancellations and delays to and from Spain "must be expected" and is offering one free rebooking or a refund on Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings and Discover flights.[19][20]

Spain strike trains: Renfe minimum services

Renfe published the ministry's minimum services on November 9. High-speed AVE and long-distance trains run at 73% of normal, regional Media Distancia trains at 65%, and Cercanias commuter trains at 75% during three peak windows (06:00-09:00, 13:30-15:30 and 18:30-20:30) and 50% at other times.[5][6][7] Private high-speed operators set out their own lists: Iryo guaranteed 32 of its 44 trains and Ouigo 18 of 26, with Ouigo offering free changes or a full refund plus a 50% voucher on cancelled trains.[6]

Renfe minimum services for the Spain general strike: Cercanias 75 percent at peak and 50 percent off-peak, Media Distancia 65 percent, AVE 73 percent, freight 26 percent, Iryo 32 of 44 trains, Ouigo 18 of 26
Renfe published the ministry's figures on November 9. Roughly one in four high-speed trains will not run. Iryo and Ouigo published their own lists of which trains are guaranteed. Source: Grupo Renfe press release Nov 9, RTVE, Valencia Plaza (Europa Press)

This is a busy week on the rails. Train drivers' union SEMAF struck on Tuesday, November 10, then postponed its Thursday stoppage to Monday, November 23 after the cabinet approved new rail safety measures. CCOO's separate Adif and Renfe strike on Tuesday, November 17 has also been called and extended to Iryo and Ouigo.[26][27]

Metro and buses in Madrid and Barcelona

City transport is set by each region, so it varies a lot.[7]

CityMinimum serviceWhat riders are seeing
Madrid Metro80% at peak (07:30-09:30, 14:00-16:00, 18:00-20:00), 50% otherwiseAbout 92% of trains running at 8am, with roughly half the usual passengers
Madrid, other regional servicesRegional minimums for transport, schools and courts suspended by the Madrid high court (except Metro)Check your operator before travelling
Barcelona metro, TMB buses, FGC, TRAM, Rodalies25%, only 06:30-09:30 and 16:30-21:00No guaranteed service for more than 10 hours of the day
Aerobus (Barcelona airport)50%Slower trips to El Prat

Sources: RTVE and Moncloa.com for the minimum services; 20minutos and El Economista for Madrid Metro's 8am figures and the court ruling; Metrópoli Abierta and El Confidencial for Barcelona.[7][10][15][16][17][28]

The US Embassy in Spain also warned that museums, shops, restaurants and pharmacies may be closed, and told travellers to plan ahead for personal needs.[19]

How big is the strike so far?

How the day went. Aena's count, given to the Europa Press agency, reached 289 cancelled flights out of 4,529 by 2pm Spanish time (13:00 GMT), up from 263 at noon. Andalusia was the worst hit region with 30 cancellations, led by Malaga (14) and Seville (12), while Madrid-Barajas lost only nine of its 1,097 morning flights.[30] On the railways, about one in four AVE high-speed trains and around 10% of Cercanias commuter trains were cancelled.[31][32] Protesters blocked roads in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Gijon, where tyres were set on fire, and police moved in to reopen Madrid's Gran Via. The interior ministry said at least 40 people had been arrested; that count leaves out the Basque Country and Catalonia, whose regional police keep their own figures.[31][33]

Evening totals. By the evening the flight count had passed 300. Hosteltur, citing the day's first balances, put it at 332 cancelled flights, and Renfe said 24% of its AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed and Intercity services were cancelled, with more than 10% cut on medium-distance and Cercanias lines.[37][38] The interior ministry's count up to 5pm was 38 arrests by the National Police and Guardia Civil, 15 of them in Madrid, and 919 incidents such as road blockades, burned bins and damage to shops. With arrests by the Basque and Catalan regional police added, the total passed 50.[35][36]

The two sides gave very different verdicts. UGT leader Pepe Alvarez and CCOO leader Unai Sordo called the strike a success with "massive" participation, while the employers' confederation CEOE said turnout was "low and uneven" depending on region and sector.[33][34] The unions' own estimate for the Madrid region was 65% to 80%.[31]

The numbers depend on who you ask. CCOO and UGT said turnout on the night shift ranged from 41% in Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha to 75% in Andalusia and Aragon, and claimed 90% in the car and port sectors, 85% in meat processing and 82% in waste collection.[1][2][18]

Electricity demand, a common independent yardstick, was down by almost 10% in the early morning compared with the day before, Servimedia and Cadena SER reported. Business groups and right-leaning papers point out that this is a smaller drop than in the 2012 general strike.[18][29]

What UK and other travellers should do

The UK Foreign Office's Spain travel advice says a national strike is planned for November 11 and "is expected to affect transport systems", and tells British travellers to check with their travel provider. It also warns that demonstrations can start with little warning and that you should move away if there are signs of disorder.[20][23]

What to do if your Spain flight is cancelled by the general strike: check status, choose refund or rerouting, ask for meals and hotel, compensation less likely, allow extra travel time
These are the basic rights in Regulation 261/2004, which still applies in the UK as UK261. Iberia is also letting anyone booked on November 11 move their date to November 26 or ask for a refund, even if their flight still operates. Source: Regulation (EC) 261/2004 (legislation.gov.uk), Your Europe, Metro, Manchester Evening News

Your rights if your flight is cancelled

Flights leaving Spain are covered by EU Regulation 261/2004, and flights leaving the UK for Spain by UK261, the British version of the same rules. If the airline cancels, it must offer you a choice of a refund, rerouting at the earliest opportunity, or rerouting on a later date that suits you, and it owes you care such as meals and, if needed, a hotel while you wait.[24][25]

Fixed cash compensation is another matter. The regulation says airlines do not have to pay it when a cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances, and its recital names "strikes that affect the operation of an operating air carrier" as one example. A general strike by people outside the airline will usually fall into that bracket, so plan on a refund or new flight rather than a payout.[24][25]

Quick checklist

  • Check your flight in the airline's app before leaving for the airport.
  • Booked with Iberia, Iberia Express or Air Nostrum today? You can switch to a date up to November 26 or ask for a refund.
  • Leave much earlier for Barcelona-El Prat; metro and buses only run in the morning and evening windows.
  • Keep receipts for meals and hotels if your flight is cancelled.
  • If you have travel insurance, read its travel disruption section before paying for extra hotels or flights.

Also today in the UK: our guide to the Remembrance Day 2026 silence times. Flying home to the north of England this week? Check the UKHSA cold-health alert for this week.

What happens next

  • Wednesday afternoon and evening: marches in Madrid, Barcelona and other cities; Barcelona transport returns to 25% from 16:30 to 21:00.[16][18]
  • Thursday, November 12: the government will again try to get the two housing decrees ratified by the interim parliament.[1]
  • Tuesday, November 17: CCOO rail strike at Adif and Renfe, extended to Iryo and Ouigo.[27]
  • Monday, November 23: SEMAF train drivers' strike, moved from November 12.[26]
  • Sunday, November 29: general election.[1][3]

Frequently asked questions

Is there a strike in Spain today?

Yes. A 24-hour general strike is running across Spain on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from midnight to midnight.[1][3]

Are flights to Spain cancelled today?

Some are. By 10am Spanish time, 234 of 4,529 flights across Spain's Aena airports were cancelled, with Barcelona hit hardest. Most flights are still operating, and the government ordered 39% to 64% of international flights to be protected.[4][8]

Are trains running in Spain during the strike?

Yes, on minimum services: 73% of AVE and long-distance trains, 65% of regional trains, and 75% of Cercanias at peak times.[5][7]

Can I get compensation if the strike cancels my flight?

You are entitled to a refund or rerouting and to care while you wait. Fixed compensation is usually not payable, because strikes can count as extraordinary circumstances under Regulation 261/2004.[24][25]

When did Spain last have a general strike?

In 2012, when CCOO and UGT jointly called one during the austerity crisis.[3][19]

See also

References

  1. "Spain's first general strike in 14 years brings clashing social and political desires to the fore". Associated Press via ABC News. November 11, 2026.
  2. "Spain's general strike puts housing crisis at centre of upcoming elections". France 24. November 11, 2026.
  3. "Spain braces for nationwide strike as anger over housing, costs boils over". Al Jazeera. November 10, 2026.
  4. "Servicios mínimos de entre el 18% y el 85% para los vuelos durante la huelga general". Europa Press. November 11, 2026.
  5. "Establecidos los servicios mínimos para la huelga general convocada el 11 de noviembre". Grupo Renfe. November 9, 2026.
  6. "Transportes fija servicios mínimos en Renfe de hasta el 75% en Cercanías y del 73% en AVE". Valencia Plaza (Europa Press). November 9, 2026.
  7. "Huelga general del 11N: estos son los servicios mínimos en transportes, sanidad y seguridad". RTVE. November 10, 2026.
  8. "Cancelados 234 vuelos por la huelga general en España". Diario Palentino (Europa Press). November 11, 2026.
  9. "La huelga general obliga a cancelar 234 vuelos, el 5,2% del total previsto en los aeropuertos españoles". Demócrata. November 11, 2026.
  10. "Cancelados 85 vuelos en el Aeropuerto de El Prat (Barcelona) a causa de la huelga general". El Confidencial. November 11, 2026.
  11. "La huelga general obliga a cancelar 85 vuelos en el aeropuerto de Barcelona-El Prat". Diario de Santiago (EFE). November 11, 2026.
  12. "Seis vuelos cancelados en Barajas en el arranque de la jornada de huelga". Europa Press. November 11, 2026.
  13. "Seis vuelos cancelados en Canarias en la huelga hasta las 8:30 horas, de 1.176 programados". El Confidencial. November 11, 2026.
  14. "Los aeropuertos de Baleares sufren 25 cancelaciones por la huelga hasta las 8:30 horas". Ultima Hora. November 11, 2026.
  15. "El TSJM suspende los servicios mínimos en Madrid para la huelga general en la justicia, educación y transporte... excepto para Metro". 20minutos. November 11, 2026.
  16. "La huelga general 11N en Cataluña: el Govern fija servicios mínimos del 25% en metro y Rodalies". Moncloa.com. November 5, 2026.
  17. "Estado del transporte público por la huelga general del 11N en Barcelona: más de 10 horas sin servicios mínimos". Metrópoli Abierta. November 11, 2026.
  18. "La huelga general arranca con seguimiento desigual por zonas y sectores, y una reducción del consumo eléctrico de casi el 10%". Servimedia. November 11, 2026.
  19. "Spain goes on general strike this week. Here's what it means for flights and holidays". The Independent. November 10, 2026.
  20. "UK Foreign Office issues Spain travel warning as 24-hour strike expected to disrupt transport". Manchester Evening News. November 11, 2026.
  21. "Spain travel warning as flights and trains to face worst disruption in 14 years". Metro. November 10, 2026.
  22. "Airlines warn of flight disruption as Spanish workers go on strike". Travel Gossip. November 11, 2026.
  23. "Spain travel advice". Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (GOV.UK). Retrieved November 11, 2026.
  24. "Regulation (EC) No 261/2004", recital 14 and articles 5, 8 and 9. legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved November 11, 2026.
  25. "Air passenger rights". Your Europe, European Union. Retrieved November 11, 2026.
  26. "El sindicato de maquinistas aplaza al día 23 la jornada de huelga prevista para el 12". El Confidencial. November 10, 2026.
  27. "CCOO extiende las huelgas de Adif y Renfe del día 17 de noviembre a Ouigo e Iryo". Antena 3 Noticias. November 5, 2026.
  28. "Huelga general: Metro de Madrid confirma el cumplimiento de los servicios mínimos, aunque los viajeros caen". El Economista. November 11, 2026.
  29. "El consumo eléctrico ha caído casi un 10% a las 07:00 horas respecto a un día antes". Cadena SER. November 11, 2026.
  30. "Cancelados 289 vuelos en los aeropuertos por la huelga general, el 6,4% de los programados". The Objective (Europa Press). November 11, 2026.
  31. "Última hora sobre la huelga general del 11-N, en directo". The Objective. November 11, 2026.
  32. "La huelga general pincha en los aeropuertos, pero provoca la cancelación de uno de cada 4 trenes de alta velocidad". ABC. November 11, 2026.
  33. "Spain sees widespread disruption in first general strike for 14 years". BBC News. November 11, 2026.
  34. "Pepe Álvarez y Unai Sordo califican de «éxito» la huelga general". The Objective. November 11, 2026.
  35. "La huelga deja ya más de 50 detenidos y 919 incidencias en toda España". Europa Press. November 11, 2026.
  36. "Al menos 51 detenidos y cerca de mil incidencias durante la huelga". Cadena SER. November 11, 2026.
  37. "Balance de la huelga 11N: más de 300 vuelos cancelados y sin apenas impacto en hoteles y agencias". Hosteltur. November 11, 2026.
  38. "La huelga general cancela un 24% de las circulaciones de AVE y Larga Distancia". Hosteltur. November 11, 2026.
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