Travelers heading to or from Portugal on December 11, 2025, should prepare for widespread flight cancellations and significant delays, as a nationwide general strike is expected to severely disrupt operations at all major airports.
The warning comes from the SNPVAC cabin-crew union, whose president has cautioned that it will be “very difficult to operate flights” during the stoppage. SNPVAC is the acronym for the Portuguese National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel.
According to SNPVAC, the strike will ground the vast majority of flights, with only minimum services guaranteed. SNPVAC, which represents approximately 5,000 cabin crew across TAP Air Portugal and other carriers, expects most scheduled operations to be canceled.
“It will be very difficult to operate flights on December 11. We expect the vast majority of scheduled services to be canceled, with only minimum operations ensured,” said Ricardo Penarroias, President of SNPVAC.
The strike’s impact is expected to extend beyond aviation, affecting public transport networks, schools, public administration, ports, and metro systems. Authorities are urging travelers and residents to prepare for a day of nationwide disruption.
A spokesperson for Portugal’s Ministry of Infrastructure acknowledged the challenges while urging calm, by stating, “The government respects the right to strike and is monitoring the situation closely. Contingency plans will be activated to guarantee essential services and support travelers affected by the stoppages.”
Airlines operating in Portugal—including TAP Air Portugal and Azores Airlines—are advising passengers to check their flight status in advance, expect longer wait times, and contact carriers for rebooking or refund options. TAP has indicated it will issue waivers for passengers scheduled to travel on strike day.
“Our priority is to assist passengers with flexible solutions. We strongly encourage all customers flying on December 11 to verify their itinerary in advance,” TAP said in a statement.
The timing of the general strike is particularly problematic for the Portuguese diaspora who plan to travel to Portugal during this holiday season. Travelers are encouraged to adjust travel dates, allow additional time for disruptions, and monitor airline alerts.
PAJ/Staff
