Published on Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Security 'go slow' at Barcelona airport causes chaos

Passengers flying out of Barcelona have been told to arrive at the airport at least three hours early as security staff take unofficial action that has caused chaos over the past week.

Since July 24, 1,000 passengers have missed their flights because staff at El Prat airport have been carrying out a 'slow down' and taking 10 minutes to search each passenger, according to ACETA, the association of Spanish air transport companies.

The situation is likely to get worse from Friday, when security staff increase their action to include hour-long strikes.

The staff are protesting about working conditions, saying they have to put in up to 16 hours a day and are under-staffed.

Talks between staff and the private firm that employs them, Eulen Seguridad, broke down yesterday and the staff have now voted for official strike action, starting on Friday.

Travellers have been warned to expect queues 'hundreds of metres long' and have been told the action could impact other airports, including Madrid, Palma, Lisbon, Lyons, Paris Orly and Milan.

One British traveller who was caught up in the long queues, tweeted: "Happy to be alive after chaos at security in Barcelona Airport, phew."

A spokeswoman for El Prat operator AENA said the action started a week ago. She said people travelling out of Barcelona should arrive at the airport at least three hours early.

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