Strike Alert at Portuguese Airports: Could Affect Your August Travel
Passengers planning to travel to Portugal this summer should prepare for potential disruptions due to airport strikes. Starting on 25 July and continuing every weekend (Friday–Monday), the strikes are causing delays and flight cancellations at the country’s busiest airports, including Lisbon, Faro, and Porto Santo.
The strikes, led by SPdH/Menzies ground staff, are driven by low wages, unpaid night shifts, and a lack of staff parking. They affect personnel working in baggage handling, aircraft services, and check-in counters.
Around 60 UK flights per week could be affected, potentially disrupting travel plans for over 10,000 passengers. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advisories accordingly. Authorities urge passengers to follow announcements from airlines and tour operators.
Strike Dates and Affected Periods:
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8–11 August
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15–18 August
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22–25 August
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29 August–1 September
Portugal’s popular holiday islands, Madeira and the Azores, as well as mainland airports, are also impacted. Menzies Aviation has prepared contingency plans to minimize service disruptions on strike days. However, as delays or cancellations are classified as “extraordinary circumstances,” passengers are unlikely to receive compensation.
Extraordinary Circumstances and Passenger Rights:
Events such as fire, bird strikes, technical failures, or severe weather are considered “extraordinary circumstances,” meaning airlines are not obliged to pay compensation. However, passengers do have legal rights in cases of cancellations due to strikes, staff shortages, or delays from previous flights:
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Short-haul flights: £220
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Medium-haul flights: £350
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Long-haul flights: £520
Following a chaotic year for tourism in Southern Europe, these strikes have drawn attention alongside protests from locals in the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, mainland Spain, and Portugal, driven by rising tourist numbers and short-term rentals.
