Passengers with Spanish airline Iberia are likely to face disruption in the coming weeks, with staff at the flag-carrier having announced 15 days of strikes.

Staff are protesting against plans to cut 4,500 jobs at the carrier, roughly a quarter of the present workforce.

The industrial action by ground staff and cabin crews will take place from February 18th-22nd, March 4th-8th, and March 18th-22nd.

Gabriel Mocho, civil aviation secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation blamed former British Airways’ boss Willie Walsh, now chief executive of Iberia and BA parent company IAG, for the breakdown in talks between unions and management.

“The fingerprints of Willie Walsh are visible in the breakdown in talks that led to this declaration,” he said.

IAG has said previously that the job cuts are necessary if the airline is to survive.