UK holidaymakers and travellers arriving in or departing from Portugal this summer are confronting a wave of travel disruptions. Ground‑handling staff at major Portuguese airports—including Lisbon (Humberto Delgado), Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro), Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo, and Azores airports—are staging five long-weekend strikes from July 25–28 through September 1, hitting every weekend in August.
Causes Behind the Strikes
The action, led by SPdH/Menzies ground staff under the SIMA union, stems from longstanding grievances: base wages reportedly below the national minimum, unpaid night and unsocial-hour premiums, revoked staff parking access, and unfulfilled terms from a wage progression agreement—including over €2.5 million in back pay tied to the transition from Groundforce to Menzies.
What Travellers Can Expect
Delays and cancellations are highly likely during strike weekends, especially on Saturdays. Baggage handling, check-in desks, and aircraft servicing are severely affected. At Lisbon’s baggage hall, even a partial staff shortfall previously delayed carousel waits to nearly two hours.
UK passengers may see about 60 flights per week disrupted, affecting over 10,000 travellers bound for Portugal’s busiest airports.
Your Rights under EU Law
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, travellers facing cancellations or long delays may be entitled to rerouting, refunds, or compensation—unless airlines claim the strike as an “extraordinary circumstance.” While compensation may be limited, airlines are still obligated to provide assistance like meals, refreshment, and accommodation for delays extending overnight.
SkyRefund’s CEO affirms: “If your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than five hours, you’re also entitled to a refund or rerouting, depending on your preference.”
Practical Advice for Travelers
To minimize disruption:
- Check flight status regularly via airline apps or official airport sites like ANA Aeroportos de Portugal.
- Arrive at least three hours early, even with carry-on only, as check‑in and security lines may be exceptionally long.
- Travel light—carry essentials such as medicine, valuables, and a change of clothes in your hand luggage.
- Stay informed—book flexible tickets, sign up for airline alerts, and monitor for rebooking options.
For those travelling within the Azores, consider ferry alternatives for short island hops if cabin-crew strikes disrupt flights.
The Broader Impact on Tourism
These repeated weekend walkouts during Portugal’s peak summer season threaten its reputation for seamless holiday travel. Airlines and airports are bracing for operational strain, customer service overload, and cascading delays that could undermine tourism.
With unions showing little sign of backing down unless wage disputes are resolved, these strike weekends could become a recurring summer headache unless a settlement is reached.
Final Thoughts
UK visitors heading to Portugal in August 2025 should plan on disruption rather than seamless travel: pack light, arrive early, keep a close eye on airline communications, and be prepared with your rights under EU travel law. With awareness and advance planning, you can still enjoy your Portuguese getaway—if managed strategically.
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