Brits heading to Portugal with easyJet face five days of strikes, with 500 flights at risk

You’ve booked a late-season break in the Algarve and are counting down the days, but easyJet’s cabin crew based in Portugal are about to walk out. The union says around 500 flights from Faro, Lisbon and Porto could be hit across five days, starting Friday October 2.

Cabin crew walk out on Friday October 2 

Cabin crew based at easyJet’s three Portuguese bases will strike from Friday October 2 until Tuesday October 6, with a second five-day walkout planned for December 19 to 23. The union behind it, SNPVAC (Portugal’s national cabin crew union), estimates around 500 scheduled flights could be affected in October alone, and easyJet has confirmed the dates.

A meeting of 188 easyJet crew backed the action unanimously, and the strike takes in Portugal’s Republic Day long weekend on Monday October 5, one of the busiest times to travel.

Around 35 UK return flights are already hit

However, the 500 figure covers all three Portuguese bases and not just UK services. easyJet says around 35 return flights to and from the UK have been affected so far, and it’s cancelling some in advance so passengers can rearrange their plans.

Still, easyJet links Portugal with UK airports including Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow, so anyone booked on those routes shouldn’t assume they’re in the clear.

Why the crew say they’ve had enough 

SNPVAC says working conditions keep getting worse, pointing to constant changes to duty rosters, an alleged breach of the collective agreement, unequal treatment of crew and pilots, and pressure to work overtime because of staff shortages. Crew also say their pay is lower than at other airlines in Portugal, and than easyJet pays in other countries. 

easyJet said it’s ‘extremely disappointed’ the union is planning strikes despite its willingness to keep talking, and the two sides are now in conciliation run by DGERT (Portugal’s labour authority).

Which flights must still run is still being settled 

A Portuguese government order dated Friday September 25 covers minimum services (the flights that legally have to keep operating), and it specifically mentions protecting connections to Madeira. Madeira’s regional government has asked for Lisbon to Funchal, Porto to Funchal and Porto to Porto Santo to be kept running. 

That means the final number of cancellations could still change, so it’s worth checking your booking regularly for updates rather than leaving it too late. 

Anyone whose flight is cancelled can choose a refund or an alternative flight, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority says airlines must also provide food, drink and a hotel if you’re left waiting. Those rights apply whatever caused the cancellation, so keep your receipts and rebook as soon as you hear from easyJet.