Travelling to Portugal over the New Year? Watch out for airport strikes on these dates

Portuguese airports might be hit by journey chaos over the New Year as floor handlers go on strike.

Workers of SPdH/Menzies, previously Groundforce, plan to stroll out on 31 December and 1 January. However, Portugal‘s arbitration courtroom has dominated that minimal companies have to be assured, experiences Lusa.

During the strike, floor dealing with for state, navy, emergency, humanitarian and rescue flights should not be disrupted, in addition to operations important to the protection of individuals, plane and installations.

Air connections to the autonomous areas – not less than one flight – and “other operations considered essential, under the terms of the applicable labour legislation”, may also be lined by minimal companies, in accordance with the courtroom ruling.

Why are airport staff hanging in Portugal?

The strike on the final day of 2025 and the primary day of 2026 was known as by Sitava – the Aviation and Airport Workers’ Union – and STHAA – the Handling, Aviation and Airport Workers’ Union.

The unions blame uncertainty over the way forward for the employees because of the name for tenders for floor dealing with licences. A preliminary report by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), quoted by Lusa, places the Clece/South consortium in first place on this tender.

The authorities has already prolonged the licences as much as May 2026, however the unions need written ensures that jobs might be maintained: of the roughly 3,700 SPdH/Menzies staff, round 2,000 might be instantly affected by this tender.