Portugal airport strikes disrupt summer travel; Spain to face walkouts until December

Travellers heading to Portugal this August are facing weekend flight delays and cancellations as airport staff strike over low pay, unpaid night shifts and parking disputes, Euronews reported. The industrial action follows British-owned Menzies Aviation’s takeover of Groundforce operations and involves aircraft servicing, baggage handling and check-in teams.

Airports in Lisbon, Faro, Porto, Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores are affected. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Portugal’s airport operator ANA have warned passengers to check flight status before travelling. State-owned carrier TAP is among the airlines expected to be hit.

Three strike periods remain: 15–18 August, 22–25 August and 29 August–1 September. On the first weekend, Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport cancelled over 70 flights. The second strike, from 8–11 August, brought more cancellations, delays and baggage problems, with around 25 flights departing without checked luggage, according to union sources cited by Euronews.


The Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) accused Menzies management of “opting for confrontation instead of dialogue” and of turning their backs on workers and customers. Menzies said operations would continue under contingency plans and rejected the union’s claims as unfounded.

According to Euronews, Spain will also see walkouts from 15–17 August as more than 3,000 Azul Handling workers strike at 12 airports. The action, which is expected to continue weekly until December, comes amid a summer of aviation unrest across Europe, including earlier strikes in Italy and large-scale cancellations in France.

Authorities advise passengers travelling in Europe to allow extra time at airports, follow airline updates and be prepared for delays during the peak holiday season.