Canary Islands Emergency Helicopter Services During Pegasus Aviation Strike

Background

The Canary Islands' regional government has issued a decree to guarantee the continuity of vital helicopter services amidst an indefinite strike by Pegasus Aviation employees, including pilots and copilots. The strike, initially called in August 2025, persists into 2026, disrupting emergency aviation operations that are classified as essential for public safety.

This decision stems from ongoing public service contracts awarded to Pegasus Aviation, which operates helicopters across the islands for:

• Emergency rescue
• Fire suppression
• Medical evacuations

Given the services' pivotal role in saving lives, especially in remote or hard-to-reach areas, the government has imposed minimum service levels to ensure that emergencies are not compromised.

Government Measures

According to the decree:

• 100% of the helicopter fleet and related maintenance services must stay operational during strike hours every day, without interruption.

This measure aims to:

• Balance workers' rights to strike
• Ensure the community’s right to essential emergency services, including search and rescue operations, firefighting, and urgent medical transports.

Importance and Public Safety

The resolution underscores the importance of these services for:

• Public safety
• Health

It emphasizes that halting such activities could directly threaten lives and physical integrity. The government’s commitment involves:

• Keeping critical emergency operations running
• Even amid labor disputes.

This reflects the broader challenge of safeguarding public safety while respecting workers' rights.