STRIKE UPDATE: How will flights and transfers be disrupted in the Canary Islands?

Residents and holidaymakers across the Canary Islands are being urged to check their travel arrangements ahead of the general strike tomorrow, Wednesday 11th November.

The 24-hour stoppage covers public and private employment, including transport. Minimum services will protect essential operations, but passengers should allow for possible cancellations, delays and changes to airport transfers.

A new order published in the Canary Islands Official Gazette (BOC) yesterday sets minimum services at 40% of each operator’s daily discretionary passenger journeys between airports or ports and travellers’ destinations.

This covers the type of pre-booked coach transport used for many holiday transfers. It does not mean every company will cancel 60% of its journeys: actual disruption will depend on participation in the strike and operators’ arrangements. Travellers should reconfirm their collection time directly with their transfer company or tour operator.

Taxis may also be affected, although the extent of any disruption remains unconfirmed. The 40% minimum-service figure quoted for airport transfers should not be applied to taxis at this stage as there is no specific taxi ruling.

Airport security is covered by a separate national minimum-service requirement retaining 90% of private security personnel. That figure relates to staffing and should not be interpreted as a guarantee that 90% of flights will operate.

The strike also extends beyond aviation and buses. Official minimum-service arrangements cover essential electricity and fuel operations, while schools have received instructions for the day individually.

For British and Irish visitors, the key advice is to check both parts of the journey: the flight itself and the transport to or from the airport. A confirmed flight does not automatically confirm that a normal bus or booked transfer will run as expected.