Spanish Cabin Crew Push for Early Retirement Legislation

Ongoing Struggle for Early Retirement

Spanish cabin crew, represented by the Sitcpla union, are facing delays in achieving early retirement rights, despite receiving backing from the Congress in September. The union has called on the government to formally amend regulations to ensure that cabin crew members are included in the coefficient system that allows for early retirement for certain aviation professionals.

Formal Request to Government

Sitcpla's formal request urges urgent changes to Real Decreto 1559/1986, which has excluded cabin crew from specific protections afforded to other aviation workers for the past four decades. The union emphasizes that a political endorsement from Congress should translate into actionable legal changes, rather than remaining as a mere acknowledgment.

Political Support but No Action

The initiative, which received political support in a parliamentary committee, has yet to result in a legal framework. The union points out that the current caretaker government is still capable of initiating regulatory modifications. Sitcpla has reached out to various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, and plans to present their case to Congress as well.

Historical Exclusion of Cabin Crew

The push for reform highlights a long-standing exclusion that the union deems discriminatory, particularly affecting a profession that has a higher proportion of women. The union insists that cabin crew work under similar conditions to other aviation professionals who already benefit from the early retirement scheme. They also continue exploring other avenues, including a pending petition with European institutions and legal actions against the rejection of their request related to Real Decreto 402/2025.