A travel expert has issued an important warning to Brits planning to jet off to Portugal between September 3, 2025 and January 2, 2026. Sabrina Escapes took to TikTok to detail the impending strike action in the country that could wreak havoc on holiday plans.
"The strike action could cause disruption at airports, potentially resulting in flight cancellations and delays," she cautioned in a video. But which areas will be hit?
"All of Portugal's main airports including popular destinations amongst Brits such as Faro, Lisbon, Porto and Madeira," Sabrina revealed. To add to the issue, the strikes are set to occur in alternating periods over the four months.
She continued: "It will have an impact on long weekends, bank holidays, Christmas and New Year." The first wave of strikes start at midnight on Wednesday, September 3 and last until midnight on Tuesday, September 9.
"This will then be followed by subsequent strikes on 12 to 15 September, then 19 to 22, and 26 to 28," Sabrina added. To compound the misery, in October, strikes will run every week from Friday to Monday. "Walkouts are set to follow a similar pattern in November and December," Sabrina went on to advise.
She concluded: "Lastly, over the Christmas period, there will be another strike, which is planned from December 19 to January 2."
According to Portugal.com, the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) has issued demands including the ending of base salaries that fall below the national minimum wage of €870, maintaining worker benefits such as access to parking, ensuring night‐shift pay, and honouring previously signed agreements.
The site adds: "The union has called out the fact that paying less than the minimum contradicts even what TAP Air (Portugal's flag carrier), as a shareholder in Menzies (ground handling company), deemed illegal in a communication to SPDH/Menzies."
"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."
It follows action in Canada that saw more than 10,000 flight attendants for Air Canada walk out earlier this month after the airlines and union representing the workers failed to reach a deal over pay.
The industrial action saw the airline's 700 daily flights immediately grounded including some services to and from the UK.
Canada's Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu met with both the airline and union at the time and urged them to work harder to them to reach a deal "once and for all". Hajdu decalred: "It is unacceptable that such little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts."
