Travel plans for millions of Britons heading to Portugal this summer could face major disruption as a general strike threatens to ground around 500 flights. Portuguese media report that the industrial action, called by the CGTP (General Confederation of Portuguese Workers), is expected to cause widespread chaos across the transport network.
Flight Disruptions
The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) has warned that approximately 500 flights could be affected by the walkout on June 3, with potential knock-on effects on the days before and after. An internal document seen by Notícias ao Minuto and shared with union members indicates that the strike will primarily impact operations for TAP, Portugália, and SATA. However, other airlines with Portuguese bases, including easyJet and Ryanair, may also face disruption as cabin crew from Portuguese bases join the action.
This follows similar industrial action last December that caused widespread chaos, with rail services grinding to a halt and hundreds of flights cancelled in protest against proposed labour reforms that remain at the heart of the dispute.
Transport Network Impact
Urban passenger transport across Portugal, including airports, is likely to face significant disruption. The CGTP has called on all workers to join the strike. The Federation of Transport and Communications Unions has backed the action, with transport operators such as Lisbon Metro, Carris, Transtejo/Soflusa, Fertagus, Porto Metro, STCP, and CP – Comboios de Portugal expected to be affected. The SNPVAC and the Union of Aviation and Airport Workers have also confirmed their involvement, potentially causing widespread disruption across multiple airlines.
Retail workers, doctors, teachers, and nurses have also confirmed their participation in the strike.
Background and Labour Reforms
The CGTP filed a formal pre-strike notice for June 3 in protest against amendments to employment legislation, following fruitless talks with the government. The proposed changes to labour law were approved by the government in the Council of Ministers last week and are now due to go before Parliament for debate. Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Rosário Palma Ramalho, confirmed the development at a press conference, a week after government negotiations on employment law changes ended without agreement in the Social Dialogue.
Additional Airport Queues
Portuguese media also report that extra police will be deployed to airports to manage long queues caused by the new Entry/Exit System (EES) border policy. The system affects non-EU nationals, including British citizens, travelling for short stays when crossing external borders of most European countries. It captures biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) at border control points and applies to 90-day visa-free or short-stay visa travel.
Reports indicate queues of up to three or four hours for some British travellers, with passengers missing flights due to delays. Portugal's Public Security Police (PSP) will strengthen airports with an additional 360 officers in July to cut waiting times. PSP spokesman Sérgio Soares confirmed that 360 officers among 560 new recruits will finish training on May 28 before a four-week border guard course. They are due to begin airport duties in early July, forming part of the PSP's summer contingency plan. Of the 360 new personnel, 150 will be posted to Lisbon airport, 90 to Porto, 70 to Faro, 30 to the Azores, and 20 to Madeira.
