British travelers heading to Portugal this August face major travel disruptions as ground staff at airports across the country stage weekend-long strikes throughout the peak summer season. The walkouts, organized by workers at SPdH/Menzies Aviation, are expected to cripple operations at Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and other key hubs—posing a severe challenge to major UK-based airlines including EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2, and TUI Airways.
The strikes began following a protracted labor dispute over wages and working conditions. Employees allege that base salaries are falling below Portugal’s legal minimum wage, leaving them unable to cope with rising living costs. Their demands include wage adjustments, better night shift pay, improved parking access, and enforcement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initially signed when SPdH transitioned to Menzies Aviation. That MoU reportedly promised salary increases until 2026 and the settlement of over €2.5 million in outstanding compensation—commitments workers claim have gone unfulfilled.
According to Portugal’s Civil Aviation Workers’ Union (SINTAC), which is leading the industrial action, these weekend strikes will continue every Friday to Sunday through August 2025. With ground handling services affected—such as check-in, baggage handling, and aircraft servicing—travelers can expect widespread delays, disrupted boarding, and flight cancellations, especially during already congested weekend periods.
While essential airport safety and security functions will remain operational, the lack of personnel handling baggage and other ground services could significantly impact the traveler experience. The Portuguese airport authority ANA Aeroportos has confirmed the likelihood of severe congestion and is advising passengers to check flight status updates and arrive at airports early.
This labor unrest comes at a critical time for Portugal’s tourism industry. The country is experiencing record-high arrivals in 2025, particularly from the United Kingdom. According to Turismo de Portugal, British travelers represent one of the largest inbound tourism markets, with Algarve, Lisbon, and Madeira ranking among top destinations. With August typically accounting for a substantial share of summer holiday travel, the disruption could have a notable economic impact.
Airlines operating UK–Portugal routes are already responding. EasyJet has warned customers of possible rescheduling or delays, while Ryanair is urging passengers to monitor its app closely. TUI Airways and Jet2 have advised travelers to arrive at the airport well in advance, with the possibility of pre-departure changes to itineraries. British Airways is offering flexible rebooking options for those flying in and out of Portugal this month.
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, which handled over 30 million passengers in 2024, is expected to bear the brunt of the chaos. Secondary hubs like Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and Faro Airport—both major entry points for Algarve-bound tourists—will also face cascading delays due to limited ground support.
The strikes are also affecting international connections and domestic flights, particularly to island regions such as Madeira and the Azores. Regional airports in Ponta Delgada and Funchal have also reported reduced ground staff availability, causing flight processing delays and confusion at check-in counters.
For travelers affected by delays or cancellations, the European Union’s Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 mandates compensation rights under certain conditions. However, industrial action by airport staff—especially if declared as an “extraordinary circumstance”—may exempt airlines from financial liability. Nonetheless, airlines are still responsible for rebooking or offering refunds and must provide assistance such as food, lodging, or transport where applicable.
To mitigate inconvenience, experts recommend several precautionary steps:
- Check airline notifications frequently and subscribe to real-time alerts.
- Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure for international flights.
- Travel with carry-on luggage to avoid baggage claim delays.
- Keep receipts for unexpected expenses in case of compensation claims.
- Consider travel insurance that covers strike-related disruptions.
While no resolution has yet been reached between SPdH/Menzies Aviation and union representatives, Portugal’s Ministry of Infrastructure has urged both sides to return to negotiations. Tourism stakeholders, particularly in the Algarve and Lisbon regions, have voiced concern over the potential reputational damage to Portugal’s image as a top summer destination.
British holidaymakers—many of whom booked packages months in advance—now face uncertainty over their travel plans. With each passing weekend of August expected to bring fresh chaos to Portuguese airports, the ongoing strikes are shaping up to be one of the most significant aviation challenges for Portugal’s tourism sector in recent years.
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