Iberia Express, the low-cost arm of Spain's national carrier, has cancelled 24 domestic flights due to a 10-day strike by cabin crew for higher pay beginning on Sunday.

Coming at the peak summer tourist season, it only adds problems to a sector struggling with rolling strikes by staff at budget rivals EasyJet and Ryanair.

The cancellation for the flights on the first three days of the strike affects some 3,000 passengers, the company said it a statement on Friday.

It has not decided how many more flights would be cancelled.

The airline said two-thirds of the affected passengers had already been placed on other flights or alternative transportation.

Iberia Express connects Spain’s capital with about 40 cities across Europe.

Spain's national carrier Iberia is owned by IAG, which also owns British Airways and Ireland's Aer Lingus.