Fears of CHAOS at start of summer hols as major Spain airport ‘to be paralysed' by staff protests on key travel day
Palma airport in Majorca is being targeted by furious staff who are threatening to bring it to a standstill on July 25th for four hours.
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Staff have slammed "suffocating" working conditions there and are set to down tools as part of a strike by members of the UGT trade union.
Workers say they have their rights "abused" with "inhumane" work shifts, including stolen holidays, mistreatment, and no career progression.
They also say they're given the wrong clothing for the hot summer temperatures on the island.
They're not given rain coast for the rain and say their uniforms don't "respect their dignity".
Now they're preparing to "paralyse" the airport threatening Brit holidaymakers with flight cancellation and delays.
Summer holidays begin next Thursday for most and many kids and their parents will be taking a hard earned break to the holiday hotspot.
The workers have accused some of the best known aviation companies of treating them badly, including: Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet, Swissport, Eurowings, and Menzies.
Staff have also taken aim at what they see if endless improvements at the airport.
They say the construction zone is bad for their health and also say it poses a risk to safety.
The UGT is also demanding free parking for workers and the opening of a new cafeteria with cheap prices.
Workers are pinning the airport operator Aena responsible for the shortcoming and said if it doesn't make sure demands are met the "tone of the protest" will be raised.
The Balearic government last week demanded urgent action over the airport after admitting "the accumulation of incidents" is doing nothing for its tourism reputation.
Officials say delays, cancellations and overbooking at Palma airport in Mallorca are causing a growing volume of complaints and "generate widespread discomfort and project a very negative image of the islands."
They have also complained about long waits at security controls and the continuing works at the airport, together with the "collapse in accesses and transit areas."
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Its the latest Spanish curveball hitting Brits holidays this summer with fuming locals also protesting.
Fuming locals are pushing back against what they see as "overtourism" by squirting holidaymakers with water guns.
Campaigners blame excessive levels of tourism for forcing locals out of affordable housing, raising the cost of living and making the city centres unusable.
Protests across Spain last month saw thousands take to the street and demand their cities "back".
Around 100 noisy activists banging drums surrounded upmarket eatery Cappuccino Borne next to a McDonald's in the centre of Palma after their protest finished.
Police moved in to ease tension as the demonstrators held up cardboard posters reading: 'As You Come I Have To Go.'
Strikes are also ongoing in Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca with hospitality staff stopping work.
They're also part of the UGT union and are demanding higher wages and fewer hours.
What is "overtourism"?
OVERTOURISM refers to the phenomenon where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity
The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues
As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals
Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources
In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism.
Some solutions include:
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El Palace hotel Prior to its rebrand in 2005, El Palace, which first opened its doors in 1919, used to be The Ritz, Barcelona, and you can tell from the hotel's plush furnishings and signature opulence. This five-star hotel is a stone's throw from the city's high-end boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants and a short stroll to Gaudí's La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. But its Mayan Luxury Spa is where you can shake off the stresses of the day with a Temazcal sauna session, followed by a 'sensation shower' with chromotherapy and finish with a tailored facial or massage. Fabulous dining experiences can accompany spa days, such as afternoon teas with live piano on weekends, or an indulgent breakfast in the hotel's indoor garden, El Jardín. 2. Mandarin Oriental hotel Amidst the busy metropolis of Barcelona, Mandarin Oriental – set back from the busy street by a long walkway – offers an oasis from the chaos courtesy of a rooftop infinity pool that overlooks the city's gothic spires and offers panoramic views all the way to the Mediterranean sea. Its spa facilities are the best of any hotel in the city, with an expansive 12-metre indoor heated swimming pool, a hammam and rainforest showers, as well as eight spacious treatment rooms, whirlpools, plus a seriously calming relaxation room complete with tea, snacks and colouring books to chill you out before your massage. The treatments themselves are exemplary, with massage therapists working with each individual client to assess whether you'd rather relax or re-energise. They also offer extensive retreat packages that include everything from yoga classes to tea ceremonies alongside your massage or facial. 3. 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Majestic Hotel & Spa The Majestic has been open for over one hundred years and still strives for the traditional excellence you'd expect when you think of a five-star hotel. It's successfully shaken off its somewhat fusty reputation and caters to a younger, cooler crowd with sunset DJ sessions every night of the summer at the rooftop La Dolce Vitae restaurant and bar. When it comes to spa treatments, they excel, offering everything from vitamin C cocktail facials to their 150-minute signature treatment involving masks, massage, exfoliation and sculpting. Elsewhere, in the picturesque Wellness Area, there's a 12-metre heated pool and a 20-square-metre hydromassage pool with jets designed to relieve neck tension. Heroic. 5. Nobu Hotel You might know Nobu from the famously delicious black cod in its restaurants. But the group is also responsible for its accompanying portfolio of hotels and spas, where the Japanese mix of modern minimalism and age-old tradition go hand in hand; specifically, the philosophy of Shiawase – a celebration of happiness and well-being, which is used to seamlessly infuse moments of fitness and relaxation into an otherwise lively stay, complete with rooftop parties and long lunches filled with sashimi and cocktails, set against a panoramic view of Barcelona's cityscape. Nobu is as serious about relaxation as it is about partying, so it's no surprise its spa facilities are a main feature of their Barcelona hotel, with a sauna, steam bath and water circuit situated in a serenely decorated wellness centre. Treatments are organic, personalised to spa visitors and designed to balance the mind, re-energise or relax, depending on what you need. Address: Avinguda de Roma, 2, 4, Distrito de Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona, Spain Highlights: Calming minimalist design, amazing lunch Why trust us The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writers, each with a deep knowledge of the destinations they cover. Our contributors either live in these locations or visit frequently, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller. FAQS When is the best time to visit Barcelona? The best time to visit Barcelona is typically during spring and autumn to avoid the searing heat that blights the city in peak summertime. In this shoulder season period, temperatures are warm, but not too hot (18–26C), and there are fewer tourists than the busy months of July and August. There are also several open-air festivals at this time, including Primavera Sound and La Mercè festival. It's worth knowing that many locals often holiday in August and that the city can become very crowded and expensive. The winter months of November to March are also a good alternative with fewer people, lower prices for accommodation and temperatures of around 10–17C. How many days do I need in Barcelona? In three days, visitors to Barcelona can see the city's highlights, including La Rambla, Barcelona Cathedral, Sagrada Família, El Born, Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gràcia (Gaudí's Casa Batlló & La Pedrera), eat tapas in Eixample, take the Montjuïc cable car, visit Park Güell and head to the beach. A few extra days enable you to take a day trip to Montserrat, Sitges or the Penedès wine region, visit museums such as MACBA or Museu Picasso, and explore Gràcia and its plazas. What is Barcelona most famous for? 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