Travelers flying to, from, or within Portugal this summer are being urged to prepare for potential delays and disruptions due to a new series of strike actions announced by ground-handling staff at all major Portuguese airports.
The industrial action, organized by the SIMA union representing workers at SPdH/Menzies (formerly Groundforce), will affect airport operations across five consecutive weekends beginning Friday, July 25, and continuing through Monday, September 1, 2025.
The scheduled work stoppages will impact key Portuguese aviation hubs, including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo, and airports in the Azores. Each strike will last four days—from 00:00 Friday through 00:00 Tuesday—with confirmed dates as follows: July 25–28, August 8–11, August 15–18, August 22–25, and August 29–September 1.
The union cited several unresolved labor issues as the reason for the strike, including base salaries that fall below the national minimum wage, unpaid night and unsocial-hour premiums, restricted employee parking access, and the failure by Menzies to honor the 2026 wage progression agreement.
In particular, the union has demanded that the company fulfill its obligations to disburse over €2.5 million in back pay inherited from the Groundforce transition.
As a result of the strike action, travelers should expect longer queues at check-in and security, delayed or paused baggage-handling services, and potential flight cancellations or schedule disruptions, especially on short-turnaround routes.
Although essential services such as air traffic control and aircraft fueling will continue, the reduced staffing levels are expected to create significant bottlenecks throughout the Portuguese aviation network.
Passengers are strongly encouraged to monitor their flight status regularly, arrive early at the airport, avoid checking luggage where possible, and allow additional time for connections.
Travelers should also be aware of their rights under EU Regulation 261/2004, which entitles them to rerouting or refunds in the event of cancellations and possible compensation for delays exceeding three hours, depending on the airline’s specific responsibility and notification timeline.
It is important to note that this series of strikes does not include SATA Air Açores cabin crew. The previously announced strike scheduled for July 18–24 was officially canceled following last-minute developments between the union and the airline.
For further updates and travel advice, passengers are advised to consult their airline, travel agent, or the official communications of ANA Aeroportos and the Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority.
PAJ/Staff
