Spain’s Social Court No. 1 in Avilés has ruled that airport operator AENA violated its collective-bargaining agreement when it removed a permanently staffed ambulance from Asturias Airport last May. The decision compels AENA to restore 24/7 on-site emergency medical coverage—a service the airport had maintained for roughly 25 years.
Background
AENA argued that a cooperation pact with the regional emergency service (SAMU-112) made the in-house ambulance redundant. The UGT union sued, citing a contractual clause that guarantees immediate medical response for employees and passengers. The court agreed, referencing a 2006 precedent from the Asturian High Court that defined on-site coverage as an essential safety measure.
![Court Orders AENA to Reinstate Permanent Ambulance at Asturias Airport After Union Lawsuit]()
For corporate mobility planners navigating Spain’s entry requirements, platforms like VisaHQ can streamline visa and travel-document processing for crew, contractors, and visiting executives. Their Spain-dedicated portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers real-time guidance on visa categories, health declarations, and transit rules, helping companies avoid delays that could undermine tight project timelines.
Why it matters for mobility
Asturias serves as a growing secondary gateway for multinational manufacturing and renewable-energy projects in Spain’s north-west. The removal of the ambulance had raised duty-of-care concerns among corporate travel teams and insurers, potentially affecting approvals for mobile staff using the airport. Restoration of the service should reduce medical-evacuation response times and align the airport with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) best practices.
Next steps
AENA may appeal to the regional High Court, but unions say the ruling is immediately enforceable. Companies planning travel through Asturias should monitor implementation, especially for medically sensitive personnel.
Background
AENA argued that a cooperation pact with the regional emergency service (SAMU-112) made the in-house ambulance redundant. The UGT union sued, citing a contractual clause that guarantees immediate medical response for employees and passengers. The court agreed, referencing a 2006 precedent from the Asturian High Court that defined on-site coverage as an essential safety measure.
For corporate mobility planners navigating Spain’s entry requirements, platforms like VisaHQ can streamline visa and travel-document processing for crew, contractors, and visiting executives. Their Spain-dedicated portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers real-time guidance on visa categories, health declarations, and transit rules, helping companies avoid delays that could undermine tight project timelines.
Why it matters for mobility
Asturias serves as a growing secondary gateway for multinational manufacturing and renewable-energy projects in Spain’s north-west. The removal of the ambulance had raised duty-of-care concerns among corporate travel teams and insurers, potentially affecting approvals for mobile staff using the airport. Restoration of the service should reduce medical-evacuation response times and align the airport with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) best practices.
Next steps
AENA may appeal to the regional High Court, but unions say the ruling is immediately enforceable. Companies planning travel through Asturias should monitor implementation, especially for medically sensitive personnel.
