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Portugal airport strikes cancelled 

Portugal’s planned airport walkouts by SPdH/Menzies ground handlers have been called off after a court-decreed minimum services order left workers saying there were no conditions to exercise the right to strike.

Unions SIMA and STA stated that members voted to cancel, although further protests remain under consideration.

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22/08/25 

Just days after strikes planned for August were cancelled, a new wave of industrial action is set to disrupt travel across Portugal from September 2025 to January 2026. The stoppages are planned to occur in alternating periods targeting critical travel windows such as long weekends, Christmas, and New Year.

Dates and locations for the new Portugal airport strikes

The industrial action is scheduled to affect all national airports across Portugal. The strike notice covers an extended period from 3rd September 2025 until 2nd January 2026.

For September 2025, the union has detailed several specific strike windows:

• The first action will run from midnight on 3rd to midnight on 9th September.
• A second stoppage is scheduled between 12th and 15th September.
• A third will take place from 19th to 22nd September.
• The final action for the month is planned between 26th and 28th September.

How will the airport strikes affect flights in Portugal?

Held by ground handling staff at Menzies, the industrial action is expected to cause significant disruption to air travel across Portugal. Passengers should anticipatepotential flight delays and cancellations at all national airports throughout the strike periods.

The impact could be particularly severe as the stoppages have been strategically scheduled to coincide with periods of high passenger traffic, including long weekends and the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Will UK flights to Portugal be affected?

Flights operating between the UK and Portugal are highly likely to be affected by the industrial action. The strikes will impact all of Portugal’s main airports, including the popular destinations for British tourists such as Faro (FAO), Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), and Madeira (FNC).

Menzies Aviation, the company whose staff are striking, holds a 65% market share for ground and air cargo services in Portugal and serves many leading global airlines. Given its dominant position, it is probable that numerous carriers operating UK routes will experience disruption.

Alquiler de Coche, CC BY 2.0.Flickr

Strike calendar: October to December 2025

Following the initial stoppages in September, the industrial action by Menzies’ ground handling staff is set to continue with a series of scheduled walkouts targeting weekends throughout autumn and the Christmas period. The planned strike dates for the remainder of the year:

October 2025:

• Friday 3rd to Monday 6th October
• Friday 10th to Monday 13th October
• Friday 17th to Monday 20th October
• Friday 24th to Monday 27th October
• Friday 31st October to Monday 3rd November

November 2025:

• Friday 7th to Monday 10th November
• Friday 14th to Monday 17th November
• Friday 21st to Monday 24th November
• Friday 28th November to Monday 1st December

December 2025 and January 2026:

• Friday 5th to Monday 8th December
• Friday 12th to Monday 15th December
• Friday 19th December to Friday 2nd January 2026, covering the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Reasons behind the new airport strikes in 2025

The industrial action stems from a series of demands made by the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) regarding pay and working conditions for Menzies staff.  Central to the dispute is the demand to end base salaries that fall below Portugal’s national minimum wage of €870 per month.

SIMA also insists on maintaining existing worker benefits, such as access to parking, ensuring correct payment for night shifts, and honouring agreements that were previously signed.

When moving to Portugal or planning frequent visits to your second home here, smooth travel connections are essential. But from September 2025 until January 2026, passengers flying in and out of Portuguese airports will need to prepare for potential disruptions.

Workers at Menzies Aviation (formerly Groundforce), responsible for handling services across the country, have announced a series of strikes. The impact could affect Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and the Azores — all key entry points for international travelers, property buyers, and investors.

So how will these strikes affect you, and what does it mean if you are planning to visit Portugal for property viewings with Immo Lusitania? Let’s break it down.

Why Are Airport Strikes Happening?

The SIMA union (Sindicato das Indústrias Metalúrgicas e Afins) has called for action, citing:

• Base salaries below the national minimum wage (€870 in 2025).

• Non-payment of night hours.

• Demands to maintain benefits such as airport parking access.

• Alleged failure by the company to honor a previously signed memorandum of understanding.

Menzies Aviation insists that all agreements until 2029 remain in place, but workers disagree — hence the ongoing strike notices.

Strike Calendar: September 2025 – January 2026

The strikes are carefully timed around weekends, holidays, and peak travel seasons. Here are the dates you need to know:

• September 2025: 3–9, 12–15, 19–22, 26–28

• October 2025: 3–6, 10–13, 17–20, 24–27, 31–3 Nov

• November 2025: 7–10, 14–17, 21–24, 28–1 Dec

• December 2025 – January 2026: 5–8, 12–15, 19 Dec – 2 Jan

These periods overlap with Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and extended weekends, increasing the potential for delays.

Which Airports Are Affected?

The strikes affect all Portuguese airports where Menzies provides ground services, including:

• Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS)

• Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO)

• Faro (FAO)

• Funchal, Madeira (FNC)

• Ponta Delgada and Terceira, Azores

However, services mínimos (minimum services) have been decreed by the Tribunal Arbitral to reduce chaos.

What Flights Will Still Operate?

During strike periods, these flights are protected:

• All flights between mainland Portugal and the islands (Madeira, Azores).

• 35% of all international flights.

• Emergency and state flights (medical, military, government).

• TAP flights returning from European night-stops.

• One guaranteed daily flight to Madeira and the Azores from Lisbon and Porto.

So while inconvenience is expected, complete shutdowns are not on the table.

Tips to Minimize Travel Disruption

If you’re traveling for property viewings, holidays, or relocation, here’s how to stay ahead of delays:

• Check airline updates daily – cancellations and schedule changes are updated in real time.

• Arrive early at airports to handle longer queues and slower service.

• Have backup plans – consider alternative routes or land transport (bus/train) to Spain or France.

• Stay flexible – book accommodation with flexible cancellation policies in case of delays.

• Leverage services like Airalo eSIM – so you stay connected and receive real-time updates, even if WiFi at airports is overloaded.

Why This Matters for Real Estate Buyers

At Immo Lusitania, we know that many of our clients travel from Switzerland, the UK, Germany, the USA, and beyond to Portugal for property tours. Strikes like these highlight the need for flexible scheduling and reliable local partners.

When you work with us:

• We adapt viewing schedules around your flights.

• Our team provides private transfers so you avoid airport stress.

• We offer virtual tours if a strike prevents you from flying at short notice.

• You’ll never miss an investment opportunity because of unexpected travel chaos.

Real Estate Insight: Travel Access Shapes Investment

While strikes are temporary, they draw attention to infrastructure and accessibility — key factors when buying property.

• Properties near Lisbon Airport or the future Montijo Airport (planned expansion) will benefit long-term.

• The Algarve remains highly desirable thanks to its year-round flight connections from Europe.

• Central Portugal and the Alentejo are gaining interest from buyers who want privacy and space, yet still need to be within 90 minutes of Lisbon Airport.

👉 Discover our Featured Properties and see handpicked opportunities across Portugal.

Plan Your Property Journey with Confidence ✈️🏡

Even with strikes, Portugal remains one of Europe’s safest and most rewarding property markets. At Immo Lusitania, we handle the logistics so you can focus on the big picture: finding your dream home.

📅 Schedule a call with us today via Calendly.

📲 Reach Ferdi directly on WhatsApp for urgent questions.

📧 Email: ferdi@immolusitania.ch

We’ll ensure that airport disruptions don’t disrupt your investment journey.

FAQ

Will my flight to Portugal be canceled during the strikes?

Not necessarily. Domestic and island connections are protected, and 35% of international flights will still operate. Always confirm with your airline.

Should I postpone my property viewings because of the strikes?

No. With careful planning and flexible scheduling, Immo Lusitania ensures your visits proceed smoothly.

Are strikes common in Portugal?

Yes, transport strikes occur periodically, but services mínimos ensure essential connectivity.

Can I still invest in Portugal now?

Absolutely. Real estate remains one of Portugal’s most stable and attractive investments, especially in the Alentejo and Algarve.

How can Immo Lusitania support me during strike periods?

We adjust your property tours, provide transport, and even organize virtual tours if necessary.