Get Ready for More Strikes at Portuguese Airports

Portugal is preparing for a lengthy wave of strikes among Menzies (formerly Groundforce) ground‑handling staff that will span several months and affect all national airports. The Metallurgical and Related Industries Union, SIMA, has issued a new strike notice that will run from September 3 until January 2, 2026. This will cover critical periods such as long weekends, Christmas and New Year’s Day. These dates reveal a strategy designed to maximize impact over some of the busiest travel days.

SIMA’s demands include ending base salaries that fall below the national minimum wage of €870, maintaining worker benefits such as access to parking, ensuring night‑shift pay, and honoring previously signed agreements. The union has called out the fact that paying less than the minimum contradicts even what TAP, as a shareholder in Menzies, deemed illegal in a communication to SPDH/Menzies.

This notice follows earlier action in July and August, as well as the cancellation of more strikes scheduled for the end of August after meetings with the Ministry of Labor. Menzies responded at the time by saying those cancellations were not due to any new deal, concession, or change in policy. The company insisted that its commitments through 2029 remain firm and unchanged.

In this latest statement, SIMA also assures that essential services, such as those ensuring safety and equipment maintenance, will continue during the industrial action. The union believes that, because of the advance notice and widespread publicity, keeping only the minimum necessary functions covered will be sufficient.

According to union figures, roughly 4 percent of Menzies’ workforce (out of about 3,600 employees) are involved in the action. The first strike period will run from midnight on September 3 until midnight on September 9, followed by several alternating strike windows:

• September 12–15

• September 19–22

• September 26–28

• October 3–6

• October 10–13

• October 17–20

• October 24–27

• October 31–November 3

• November 7–10

• November 14–17

• November 21–24

• November 28–December 1

• December 5–8

• December 12–15

• December 19–January 2, 2026

Past Disruptions

This warning arrives after earlier disruptions in the summer. Strikes between July 25–28 and August 8–11 prompted logistical headaches across the country. During those actions at Lisbon and other airports, hundreds of flights were delayed or cancelled. Euronews reported that more than 70 flights were canceled during the first weekend, and eight flights to Lisbon were canceled during the second wave. Some passengers were affected by missing baggage and extended delays. 

More broadly, Portugal’s airport staff strikes in August led to weekend chaos at Lisbon, Faro, Porto, Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Azores. The Independent noted that up to 60 UK‑bound flights per week were affected by July and August walkouts, which disrupted services at key tourist gateways.

However, by mid‑August, the union cancelled the remaining scheduled strikes for summer for August 15-18, August 22-25, and August 29–September 1, following intervention by the Ministry of Labor. As a result, travel has now returned to a more normal schedule at Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and Madeira airports.

What Travelers Should Do

With the new strikes currently planned to stretch over four months, particularly during holiday peaks, people traveling through Portuguese airports should take extra precautions:

• Avoid purchasing checked luggage where possible. Stick with hand luggage or carry‑on bags only. This reduces the risk of losing bags or facing baggage‑handling delays.

• Closely monitor your email and airline app alerts for updates about your flights. Strikes may lead to sudden cancellations or last‑minute changes.

• Arrive at the airport early, especially during strike periods. Delays at check‑in and baggage drop can add a significant amount of time.

• Stay informed through your airline, airport notices, or trusted travel authorities.

• Prepare for disruption at key times. Long weekends, the Christmas season and New Year’s Day could see major travel delays or cancellations.

Final Thoughts

Unless an agreement changes the current strike schedule, the scene looks set for months of travel uncertainty for travelers passing through Portugal’s airports. If you are traveling between September 2025 and January 2026, you’ll want to stay especially alert. No-frills carry-on only, vigilant flight tracking, early airport arrival, and being ready to make alternative plans will all help reduce stress. While Menzies has maintained that there was no deal after the summer cancellations, hopefully similar negotiations might prevent a full strike stretching all the way into the New Year, but preparing for it in advance and assuming it will happen is the smartest approach for now.