Portugal’s planned airport strikes from September to January 2026 have been cancelled following negotiations between unions and employers. Operations are expected to proceed as normal, with only limited residual pressures possible at peak times.
Portugal airport strikes cancelled
Portugal’s airport ground handlers have withdrawn the planned industrial action that was scheduled to run from September. The strikes were initially slated for September, then a series of alternating multi‑day windows through late December and into January 2026. Earlier summer actions in late July and mid‑August led to delays and cancellations, before remaining August stoppages were also pulled following government intervention.
Why the strike action was called off
Ground-handling unions representing SPdH/Menzies withdrew the planned stoppages after Portugal’s Arbitration Court imposed minimum services. The SIMA union said it would therefore have to keep around 80% of normal airport operations running.
Union SIMA said the ruling left “no conditions” to exercise the right to strike, so the 76 days of planned action were cancelled. Unions argue that the minimum‑service order effectively neutralises industrial action and undermines workers’ right to strike, leaving them with no practical means of protest at Portugal’s airports.
Impact on flights after the cancellation
The decision by PdH/Menzies workers removed the primary source of disruption risk through to January 2026. With the strike withdrawn, airlines and airport operators report normal schedules across Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira, with no strike-related cancellations or delays expected. Routine peak‑time queues and seasonal pressure points may still occur, but these are unrelated to industrial action.
What to watch next — travel outlook into winter 2025–2026
The Arbitration Court’s minimum service ruling remains the key backdrop for any future dispute, mandating 100% service for domestic flights and 35% for international flights. SIMA has criticised the decision and indicated other forms of protest are being considered, without details. Normal planning continues at Portugal’s main airports, with no strike-related disruption reported for now since the cancellation was confirmed.
Stay in the know about visiting and living in Portugal—get our weekly newsletter for the latest travel, legal, and lifestyle news.