Spain braces for general strike disrupting flights, trains, and commerce

Spain faces a 24-hour general strike over the housing crisis, causing widespread disruptions to flights, trains, and urban transport. Unions UGT and CCOO lead the protest, with separate train driver strikes extending disruptions. Sources differ on the strike date.

A 24-hour general strike is expected to paralyze Spain on Wednesday, November 11, with severe disruptions to flights, trains, and hotels. The strike is being led by the UGT and CCOO labor unions, for the first time in 14 years cooperating on such a scale, against the backdrop of the acute housing crisis in the country. Protesters are demanding that the government curb rising rental prices, limit short-term tourist rentals (such as Airbnb), and set price caps. In Catalonia, public transportation will operate at only 25% during peak hours, and the bus to Barcelona's airport will run at 50%. The US Embassy has issued a warning to tourists to prepare in advance and stay away from protest hotspots, due to concerns over roadblocks and escalation.