LISBON, Portugal — Holiday travelers to and from Portugal may face major delays and disruptions as a prolonged airport strike kicks off today, lasting through early January 2026. Ground handling workers across the country’s major airports have begun a coordinated series of strikes, which will affect dozens of travel dates over a 76-day period, including peak holiday travel around Christmas and New Year.
The strike, spearheaded by the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) and the Transport Union (STA), targets SPdH/Menzies Aviation, a key provider of ground handling services at Portugal’s airports. According to the unions, the action is in response to ongoing labor disputes over working conditions, staffing, and long-standing contractual issues.
What Travelers Need to Know
The strike began at midnight today and is expected to last until January 2, 2026, affecting airports including Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Porto, Faro, Funchal, and more. The disruption will not be continuous but will occur in waves, targeting weekends and holiday peaks when passenger volume is highest.
Strike Schedule and Key Dates
The scheduled walkouts cover multiple weekends and busy travel days. Key strike periods include:
- September:
- September 6–9
- September 12–15
- September 19–22
- September 26–28
- October & November:
- October 31 – November 3
- November 7–10
- November 14–17
- November 21–24
- December & January:
- December 5–8
- December 12–15
- December 19 – January 2
The longest disruption will occur over the holiday period, from December 19 through January 2, covering both Christmas and New Year’s travel.
Why Are Workers Striking?
SIMA and STA say that the strike is necessary due to the persistent lack of progress in negotiations with SPdH/Menzies Aviation. According to the unions, the company has failed to improve labor conditions, workloads, and salary structures, despite repeated attempts at dialogue.
In a strongly worded statement, SIMA criticized the Arbitration Court’s ruling that imposed minimum service requirements during the strike:
“What was imposed is not ‘minimum services,’” the union said, “but a mandate to ensure approximately 80% of normal operations. This undermines the workers’ right to strike.”
The union argues that the imposed level of service essentially neutralizes the impact of industrial action, which is intended to pressure the company into making meaningful concessions.
Menzies Responds
Menzies Aviation, the company at the center of the labor dispute, issued a statement in August denying that any recent cancellations or delays were the result of negotiations.
“There was no agreement, negotiation, or concession,” the company said. “Our position remains unchanged, and all commitments until 2029 are in place.”
This statement followed a suspension of earlier strikes planned for late August, after brief talks with the Ministry of Labour. However, those discussions did not yield a resolution, prompting unions to re-launch their strike campaign with greater intensity.
Who Will Be Affected?
The impact of the strike will ripple across both domestic and international travel:
- Airlines: Carriers using SPdH/Menzies for ground services may face delays in check-in, baggage handling, and aircraft turnaround times.
- Passengers: Travelers should brace for longer lines, flight delays, possible cancellations, and missed connections—especially on the busiest days.
- Tourism Sector: With Portugal’s tourism industry heavily dependent on smooth airport operations, the strike could dampen visitor satisfaction during the country’s high-traffic season.
Holiday travelers, including tourists and returning Portuguese nationals, are particularly at risk of disruptions.
Government and Legal Action
The Portuguese Arbitration Council imposed legally binding minimum service levels, mandating that airports maintain roughly 80% of their operations even during strike days. While this may lessen some of the immediate impact on travelers, unions argue it strips the strike of its effectiveness.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Labour have remained largely silent, despite mounting pressure from airlines, tourism stakeholders, and labor groups.
Travel Tips During the Strike
If you’re traveling to or from Portugal during the affected period, here are some tips to minimize your disruption:
1. Confirm Flights in Advance
Double-check with your airline before heading to the airport. Monitor emails and SMS updates closely.
2. Arrive Early
With reduced ground staff, processing times will likely increase. Arrive at least 3 hours early for international flights.
3. Travel Light
Avoid checking bags if possible. Baggage handling is among the services likely to be hit hardest.
4. Consider Travel Insurance
Make sure your travel insurance covers delays and cancellations caused by strikes.
5. Avoid Peak Dates
If you can, rebook travel to avoid high-strike days, especially the long Christmas–New Year window.
Economic Consequences
Portugal’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, and the aviation sector plays a crucial role in bringing visitors to its popular destinations like Lisbon, the Algarve, and Madeira.
A prolonged disruption in airport services could result in millions of euros in lost revenue—not only for airlines but also for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and retailers.
“This strike is not just a labor dispute—it’s a national risk,” said Maria Lopes, a tourism analyst based in Porto. “Holiday bookings are already being affected as travelers look for alternatives.”
Resolution or Escalation?
With no agreement in sight and both sides refusing to budge, observers worry the dispute may escalate further. SIMA and STA have warned that unless meaningful negotiations resume soon, even more aggressive strike action could follow in early 2026.
If that happens, Portugal risks damaging its reputation as a reliable destination for tourism and business travel alike.
For now, passengers are urged to stay informed, be flexible, and prepare for the possibility of long delays—and possibly canceled holiday plans.
