Posted on 03 September 2025.

Portugal’s major airports are facing significant disruption again as ground-handling staff, employed by Menzies Aviation (formerly Groundforce), have launched a new wave of strike action.

Travelers are advised to prepare for delays and disruptions throughout the strike period.

Organized by the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) and the Transport Union (STA), the strike is scheduled to begin on September 3, 2025, and will run through January 2, 2026, encompassing 76 strike days.

The strike action is expected to affect further operations at Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and the Azores airports, with peak disruption anticipated during long weekends, the Christmas period, and the New Year holidays.

The strike calendar includes multiple weekends and holiday periods, beginning with September 3–9, 12–15, 19–22, and 26–28. Additional stoppages are scheduled throughout October, November, and December, culminating in an extended action running from December 19 through January 2, 2026. 

The dispute follows earlier travel disruptions in July and August, which caused widespread delays, last-minute flight cancellations, and baggage handling failures, resulting in several flights departing without passenger luggage, with travelers reporting extensive queues and missed connections. 

While the schedule is comprehensive, recommended measures include checking flight status frequently, arriving at airports well in advance, and traveling with carry-on baggage whenever possible to avoid problems with checked luggage. 

Passengers are also advised to consider flexible travel plans and ensure they have insurance coverage for strike-related issues. Airlines are expected to issue updated guidance and rebooking options as the strike progresses.

To minimize disruption, Portugal’s Arbitration Court has imposed minimum service levels, requiring 100% of ground services for flights between mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira, and at least 35% of services for other international flights. 

While these measures ensure that a degree of continuity is maintained, union leaders argue that such requirements weaken the effectiveness of the strike and reduce their bargaining power.

Workers are calling for fairer wages, proper payment for night shifts, and the full respect of labor agreements. Union representatives maintain that they remain open to negotiations, while government authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

PAJ/Staff