Iberia mega-strike: Over 1,200 flights grounded in Spain

Hundreds of flights were grounded in Spain as workers of air giant Iberia began a five-day strike in the biggest walkout in company’s history. The strike is estimated to cost the Spanish economy 10 million euros a day, the Transport Ministry said.

Iberia is canceling 415 flights over the next 5 days – 39 percent of its regular domestic and international traffic. Some 800 more flights by other airlines will also have to be grounded. 

Up to 70,000 passengers were reportedly affected by the first strike alone. Iberia has attempted to minimize the damage by scheduling their customers for different flights, including those of different airlines, and by offering refunds or alternative travel dates. 

It's the first of three such five-day strikes planned by Spanish trade unions for February and March. The Iberia strike opened with an 8-kilometer march around Madrid's Barajas Airport on Monday. More demonstrations are planned for airports across Spain during the week, and airline workers will hold a street protest in central Madrid on Wednesday evening.