Passengers flying in or out of Portugal over the New Year are being urged to prepare for potential disruption as SPdH/Menzies ground handling staff press ahead with a two day strike on 31 December and 1 January.

Although an arbitration court has ordered minimum services to be maintained, industry officials warn that slower baggage processing and aircraft turnaround times could still trigger delays at Lisbon, Porto, Faro and other airports during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

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Minimum services ordered but delays still likely

Portugal’s arbitration tribunal has ruled that SPdH/Menzies workers must guarantee a core level of ground handling during the walkout, which runs from 00:00 on 31 December to 24:00 on 1 January across mainland airports and Madeira.

The decision was requested after unions representing ground staff filed a strike notice targeting the New Year period, citing deep uncertainty over their future employment conditions.

Under the ruling, ground assistance must be assured for state, military, emergency, humanitarian and rescue flights, along with operations deemed essential for the safety of passengers, aircraft and airport facilities.

At least one connection to each of Portugal’s autonomous regions must also be operated each day of the stoppage, preserving a basic level of connectivity for Madeira and the Azores.

The minimum service framework means that a large proportion of scheduled flights can, in theory, continue to operate.

However, airlines and airport managers caution that staffing gaps and work-to-rule tactics among non exempt staff could slow down baggage loading, unloading and aircraft servicing, increasing the risk of knock on delays, missed connections and longer waits at carousels.

For travelers, the picture will likely vary by airline and time of day. Morning and late afternoon bank departures, which already face congestion at Lisbon and Porto in peak season, are expected to be particularly exposed if turnaround times lengthen.

Who is striking and why it matters for passengers

The dispute involves workers at SPdH/Menzies, the ground handling company formerly known as Groundforce, which provides ramp, baggage, check in and other support services to airlines across Portugal.

The strike has been called by the Aviation and Airports Workers Union and the Handling, Aviation and Airports Workers Union, both of which represent staff at Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal and Porto Santo among other locations.

Because SPdH/Menzies serves a wide portfolio of carriers, from Portugal’s flag carrier TAP Air Portugal to low cost and charter airlines, any slowdown in its operations can quickly ripple through the airport ecosystem.

Even if flight departures are preserved on paper, an aircraft that sits on the tarmac waiting for bags to be offloaded or catering to be delivered can easily turn an on time schedule into one plagued by rolling delays.

Industry data highlight the scale of the potential impact. Unions estimate that more than 3,700 direct jobs are tied to SPdH/Menzies operations, including nearly 2,900 positions at Lisbon alone, around 480 in Porto, over 200 in Funchal and more than 130 in Faro.

With so many of the people who park aircraft, handle baggage and dispatch flights either on strike or working under pressure, even a legally mandated minimum service can translate into slower service for travelers at the peak of the festive season.

Airports are preparing contingency plans where possible, but many processes depend on specialized, certified ground handlers.

This limits the scope for airlines or airport operators to simply draft in temporary replacements, particularly for safety critical roles on the ramp.

New Year peak demand meets constrained airport capacity

The timing of the action is especially sensitive. The New Year period typically brings a surge of traffic into and out of Portugal, as holidaymakers return home, winter sun tourists arrive in the Algarve and Madeira, and Portuguese expatriates travel back after Christmas.

Lisbon and Porto are also important connecting hubs for flights to Brazil, North America and across Europe, adding to transit volumes.

Airport operator ANA has already warned in previous strike episodes that any industrial action involving ground handlers can quickly generate “constraints” in key processes such as check in, boarding, baggage delivery and aircraft parking.

When these bottlenecks coincide with high demand, it does not take many delayed aircraft for queues to lengthen in terminals and departure boards to start filling with revised timings.

Lisbon, in particular, operates close to its capacity limits at peak times after years of expansion in traffic without a major new airport. Turnaround slots are tightly sequenced, connections are time sensitive and apron space is finite.

A New Year strike by a major handling provider like SPdH/Menzies therefore strikes at one of the system’s most vulnerable points.

Travel industry analysts note that even flights not directly handled by SPdH/Menzies could feel the knock on effects.

If stands are blocked by delayed departures or baggage systems are backed up, other carriers can suffer secondary delays as they wait for resources to free up.

What minimum services actually guarantee

For travelers trying to understand what the minimum service order means in practice, it is important to distinguish between legal obligations and operational performance.

The arbitration court’s decision specifies categories of flights and operations that must be protected, primarily on safety, sovereignty and basic connectivity grounds.

These include state and military missions, emergency medical and rescue flights, and humanitarian operations.

The order also requires that at least one daily commercial connection to the autonomous regions be maintained, and that activities essential to the safety of people, aircraft and airport facilities continue without interruption.

What the ruling does not guarantee is that every commercial passenger flight will operate as scheduled or that baggage and ground services will run at normal speed.

Airlines retain the discretion to adjust their programs, preemptively canceling or consolidating flights if they believe ground handling constraints will make operations unreliable or uneconomic over the two day period.

In previous industrial disputes at Portuguese airports, some carriers have opted to thin out their schedules, particularly on leisure routes, to create more buffer time for the flights they do operate.

Others have maintained planned services but warned customers that bags may arrive late, that priority boarding and special services could be reduced, and that long queues should be expected at peak hours.

Advice for travelers flying via Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira

For passengers with flights booked on 31 December or 1 January, advance preparation can help reduce the stress of traveling during a strike.

Airlines are advising customers to monitor their booking closely in the days leading up to departure and to sign up for flight status alerts so they receive immediate notification of any schedule changes.

Arriving at the airport earlier than usual is widely recommended, especially for morning and late afternoon departures when terminals and security checkpoints are typically busiest.

Travelers with checked luggage should allow even more time, as drop off queues can grow quickly if staffing at check in or baggage belts is reduced.

Carry on only travel, where feasible, may also help passengers avoid the longer waits often experienced at baggage carousels during industrial action.

Holidaymakers connecting through Lisbon or Porto to onward long haul services should pay particular attention to minimum connection times.

While airlines generally build buffers into itineraries, these can be eroded quickly if inbound flights are held on the ground waiting for ground handling services.

Where practical, some travelers may wish to switch to earlier feeder flights or accept longer layovers to protect important onward legs.

Passengers requiring special assistance, traveling with young children or transporting bulky sports equipment such as golf bags and surfboards should contact their airline in advance.

These services are more complex to deliver under constrained conditions and sometimes face earlier cut off times or temporary restrictions during a strike.

Unions, licensing tender and what happens after the strike

Behind the immediate disruption risk lies a deeper structural dispute over the future of ground handling at Portugal’s airports.

Unions say the strike is a response to uncertainty created by the National Civil Aviation Authority’s ongoing tender for ground handling licenses at major airports, in which a consortium known as Clece/South has been ranked ahead of SPdH/Menzies in several key service categories.

Union representatives argue that the tender outcome, as outlined in a preliminary ANAC report, raises serious questions about job security, working conditions and the long term viability of SPdH/Menzies as an employer.

They warn that more than 3,700 direct jobs could be affected if licenses shift and if, as they fear, the legal mechanism of automatic transfer of staff does not apply in full.

The government has extended the current ground handling licenses until at least 19 May 2026, providing some breathing space for airports and airlines.

However, the core issues of who will operate key services after that date and on what terms for existing staff remain unresolved.

Union officials describe the situation as one of “indefinition, uncertainty and anxiety” for workers who keep aircraft turning around at Portugal’s busiest hubs.

How the New Year strike unfolds may influence the tone of talks in the months ahead.

A relatively smooth operation could bolster the case of those arguing that minimum service requirements effectively neutralize industrial action, while a highly disruptive episode might increase pressure on all sides to reach a more durable agreement on staffing and licensing.

What airlines and airports are saying

Airlines using Portuguese airports are taking a cautious line in public statements, urging passengers not to panic but to stay informed.

Several carriers have issued notices advising travelers that they are working closely with airport authorities and handling providers to mitigate the impact of the strike, but that localized delays and operational adjustments remain possible.

Some airlines are quietly preparing contingency measures such as reinforcing customer service teams, relaxing change fee policies for passengers who wish to move flights away from the strike dates, and prioritizing certain routes where feasible.

However, most carriers continue to sell seats for 31 December and 1 January, reflecting both the minimum service obligations and the commercial importance of the festive travel period.

ANA, which manages Lisbon, Porto, Faro and other airports, has in past strikes encouraged passengers to confirm flight status before leaving home and to factor in extra time at the airport.

The operator is expected to reinforce signage and staff presence in terminals during the New Year walkout to help manage queues and direct passengers to the correct check in and boarding areas.

Travel agents and tour operators are also monitoring developments closely. Package holiday customers may benefit from additional support, as tour operators typically coordinate with airlines and hotels to rebook or reroute clients if severe disruption occurs, though options can be limited over New Year when flights and accommodation are heavily booked.

FAQ

Q1. Are flights on 31 December and 1 January cancelled because of the SPdH/Menzies strike?
Most flights are still scheduled to operate because minimum services have been ordered, but some airlines may cancel or reschedule individual services. Travelers should check directly with their airline in the days before departure and again on the day of travel.

Q2. Which airports in Portugal are most likely to be affected?
The strike covers SPdH/Menzies operations across mainland Portugal and Madeira, so Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal and Porto Santo are among the airports most exposed. Effects could vary by airport depending on which handler and airline you are flying with.

Q3. Will my baggage definitely arrive on time during the strike?
Baggage services are expected to continue but may be slower than normal if staffing levels are reduced or teams work to rule. Passengers should be prepared for possible delays at baggage claim and consider carrying essential items in hand luggage.

Q4. What do “minimum services” actually guarantee for passengers?
Minimum services ensure that essential flights and safety critical operations go ahead, including state, emergency and at least one daily connection to Portugal’s autonomous regions. They do not guarantee that every commercial flight will run on time or that airport processes will operate at normal speed.

Q5. I have a tight connection in Lisbon. Should I change my booking?
If your connection time is short, it may be wise to contact your airline to discuss options such as moving to an earlier feeder flight or accepting a longer layover. While many connections will still work, any ground handling delay can quickly eat into limited transfer windows.

Q6. Are passengers entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed by the strike?
Eligibility for compensation depends on the airline, route and legal framework, including European passenger rights rules. Strikes can fall into complex categories when it comes to compensation, so passengers should review their carrier’s policy and, if necessary, seek formal clarification after the disruption.

Q7. How early should I arrive at the airport on the strike days?
Airports and airlines generally advise arriving earlier than usual, especially at busy times. For international flights, arriving three hours before departure is prudent, and adding extra time if you need to check bags, obtain special assistance or travel with young children can help reduce stress.

Q8. Will priority services such as fast track and lounges operate normally?
Security fast track and lounges are managed separately from ground handling, but knock on effects from delays can make these services busier than normal. Access policies will remain the same, yet passengers should be ready for crowding and to follow on site guidance from staff.

Q9. Could the strike be called off at the last minute?
Industrial disputes can evolve quickly, and there is always the possibility of a last minute agreement between unions, the company and authorities. Until any official suspension is announced, however, travelers should plan on the basis that the strike will proceed and prepare accordingly.

Q10. What is driving the dispute between SPdH/Menzies workers and the authorities?
The strike is rooted in concerns about the ongoing tender for airport ground handling licenses, which unions say could shift key contracts away from SPdH/Menzies and put thousands of jobs and existing working conditions at risk. Workers are seeking greater clarity and safeguards over their future as the licensing process moves forward.