Holidaymakers heading to Portugal early next month are being urged to check their travel plans, with hundreds of flights at risk of disruption during a planned nationwide strike. Cabin crew, airport staff, rail workers and public transport employees and even doctors are expected to walk out on Wednesday, June 3, in protest against proposed labour reforms from the Portuguese government. Industry estimates suggest as many as 500 flights could be cancelled if the action goes ahead.
The disruption is expected to affect major airports across Portugal, including Lisbon, Porto and Faro, with Madeira and Ponta Delgada in the Azores also among the locations likely to feel the impact. The walkout has been called by Portugal’s largest umbrella union, CGTP, following the government’s failed labour reforms. A general strike has been planned by multiple trade unions, including walkouts from cabin crew who are members of the SNPVAC union.
TAP Air Portugal, the country’s flag carrier, is expected to be among the airlines most heavily affected, with reports suggesting it could cancel up to 300 services, as well as other Portugália and SATA services. easyJet and Ryanair flights are expected to be impacted as well, the union said.
However, Ryanair told The Independent that it did not expect any disruption and would operate as normal. Meanwhile, EasyJet said, “we can expect some disruption to our flying programme”.
“We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected,” a spokesperson told the news outlet. “While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause”.
Travellers due to fly on June 2 or June 4 have also been advised to keep checking for updates. The delays could well impact travel on the following days, too.
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport is likely to be the worst affected, followed by Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and Faro Airport. Funchal Airport in Madeira and Ponta Delgada Airport in the Azores are also expected to be impacted.
The strike is also expected to affect metro, bus, ferry and rail services, with passengers urged to allow extra time when travelling to the airport.
