UK travelers looking to fly to Portugal may encounter disruptions at airports due to potential strike action by ground handling staff from September to early 2026.
The Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) at Menzies, a ground handling company, has issued a strike notice covering the period from September 3, 2025, to January 2, 2026, impacting all national airports in Portugal.
Major airports in Portugal, including Faro, Lisbon, Porto, and Madeira, are expected to be affected by the planned strikes. The industrial action will occur intermittently between September 3 and January 2, coinciding with peak travel times such as weekends, bank holidays, Christmas, and New Year celebrations.
According to Publico, the initial strike is scheduled from midnight on September 3 to midnight on September 9, followed by additional strikes on September 12-15, 19-22, and 26-28. Subsequent strikes are planned for weekends in October, November, and December. During the festive season, another strike is set from December 19 to January 2.
The strikes could lead to flight disruptions and delays at airports, potentially causing inconvenience for travelers. The union’s demands include fair wages, night shift compensation, and parking access for workers. Previous industrial actions in July were temporarily halted.
The union has assured that essential services for safety and facility maintenance will be maintained during the strikes. This news emerges following recent labor disputes in the airline industry, including a strike by Air Canada flight attendants and industrial action affecting Jet2 flights to Greece.
Jet2 recently cautioned travelers about potential disruptions in Greece due to an industrial action by Greek Air Traffic Control. The strike was part of a broader 24-hour strike organized by public sector union ADEDY in protest against new disciplinary regulations for civil employees.
The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers’ Association urged controllers to participate in the strike, aligning with the broader labor action against impending disciplinary rules.
