British holidaymakers heading to Portugal this August are being urged to prepare for sweeping airport disruption as nationwide ground staff strikes hit Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and other major travel hubs. The walkouts, scheduled for every weekend of the month, have prompted urgent warnings from airlines including EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2, and TUI Airways.
At the heart of the disruption is a prolonged wage dispute involving SPdH/Menzies Aviation workers, formerly operating under the Groundforce brand. These ground handling employees, responsible for check-in, baggage services, and aircraft turnaround operations, are demanding urgent improvements in wages and working conditions. Their absence has already begun causing delays at key Portuguese airports and is forecast to create even greater chaos during peak holiday weekends.
Why Are Portuguese Ground Staff Striking?
The industrial action stems from claims by the SPdH workforce that their base pay falls below Portugal’s national minimum wage. Workers are also calling for improved night shift compensation, fair access to staff parking, and the enforcement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed when the company restructured under Menzies Aviation.
According to union representatives, the MoU includes a commitment to salary increases through 2026 and the payment of over €2.5 million in backdated compensation—obligations that employees claim have not been fulfilled. Frustration over these unaddressed promises has led to the coordinated decision to strike every weekend throughout August, exacerbating travel uncertainty at one of Europe’s top summer destinations.
Airlines and Airports Heavily Affected
The airports most severely impacted include Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, and Faro Airport, which handles the bulk of flights to the Algarve region. Operations at airports in Madeira and the Azores are also expected to experience ripple effects.
Major airlines servicing Portugal—including EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2, TUI Airways, and WizzAir—are already warning passengers of potential delays and flight cancellations. These carriers collectively transport hundreds of thousands of passengers from the UK and across Europe to Portugal during the August travel season.
Ryanair has issued travel alerts to customers, while Jet2 has posted contingency plans in case of baggage handling delays. British Airways has advised passengers to check their flight status frequently and to allow extra time at the airport.
What Travelers Should Expect
With check-in counters, luggage handling services, and aircraft turnaround teams operating with reduced staff—or in some cases, none—travelers can expect:
- Lengthy airport queues, especially at check-in and baggage drop
- Delays in baggage reclaim, with potential for misplaced luggage
- Boarding delays and longer aircraft turnaround times
- Potential last-minute flight cancellations, particularly over weekends
- Uncertainty regarding connecting flights and ground transfers
While essential safety and security services will remain operational, these staffing gaps in ground handling are already creating travel bottlenecks.
Travel Tips and Rights for Affected Passengers
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Portugal’s national tourist authority, Visit Portugal, recommend that passengers:
- Monitor airline updates via apps and email
- Arrive at the airport early, ideally 3–4 hours before departure
- Travel light or use carry-on luggage to avoid checked baggage delays
- Check travel insurance policies for coverage of strike-related issues
- Document any out-of-pocket expenses, such as meals or hotels, for possible compensation
Under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, travelers may be entitled to compensation if their flights are cancelled or delayed by more than three hours—unless the disruption is deemed outside the airline’s control. However, labor strikes often occupy a legal grey area. Airlines may still offer meal vouchers, rebookings, or refunds, depending on the circumstances.
Portugal’s Tourism Sector Under Pressure
This wave of industrial action comes at a critical time for Portugal’s tourism sector. The country has seen a record-breaking surge in visitors from the UK, Germany, France, and Spain during summer 2025. The Portuguese National Statistics Institute (INE) recently reported that July saw more than 3 million overnight stays by international travelers—a figure expected to climb in August.
Destinations such as the Algarve, Lisbon Coast, Madeira, and Porto are particularly popular among British tourists seeking beach escapes, cultural immersion, and culinary experiences. These strikes threaten to severely hamper the holiday experience, especially for families and elderly travelers who rely on seamless airport assistance.
Local hospitality associations and regional governments have urged SPdH/Menzies and union representatives to reach an agreement to prevent prolonged damage to Portugal’s tourism image.
When Will the Strikes End?
As of now, strikes are confirmed to continue every weekend until the end of August, unless a resolution is reached. Negotiations between SPdH/Menzies Aviation and the unions remain ongoing. The government has thus far avoided direct intervention, although pressure from tourism stakeholders is mounting.
Until then, travelers flying to and from Portugal are strongly advised to stay informed, plan ahead, and maintain flexibility in their travel plans.
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