Portugal general strike to impact hundreds of flights and public transport today

Hundreds of flights and train journeys will be disrupted by a general strike in Portugal, which includes walkouts from cabin crew who are members of the SNPVAC union.

Ricardo Penarróias, president of the SNPVAC, told local Portuguese media that he predicted the strike could impact around 500 flights.

Portuguese flag carrier airline Tap Air, easyJet and Ryanair flights are all expected to be impacted, the union added.

However, Ryanair told The Independent that it did not expect any disruption and would operate as normal.

Meanwhile, EasyJet said, “we can expect some disruption to our flying programme”.

“We will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action and will contact customers directly with their options if their flights are affected,” a spokesperson told The Independent. “While this is outside of our control we are sorry for any inconvenience this strike action may cause.”

Tap said it is operating a total of 79 out of its usual 300-plus daily flights during the general strike on 3 June, with a full list of the running services found on its website.

The airline said it is contacting all customers with cancelled flights who have not yet changed their bookings, so that it can help find them the best travel alternatives.

“We regret all the inconveniences that arise from this situation, and we are working intensively to mitigate the inconvenience that it may cause to our customers,” it added.

Iberia ⁠also expects flight reductions of between 50 per cent and 75 per cent, and is allowing its customers to rebook on a new service until 10 June.

The general strike was called by Portugal’s largest umbrella union, CGTP, in protest of the government’s labour reforms.

The reforms would make it easier for companies to dismiss employees and would lift caps on outsourcing, according to unions.

Transport union FECTRANS has also joined the strike, meaning public transport has been affected with multiple train services halted or delayed in Portugal.

The Lisbon Metro’s website shows its services have been closed on all lines. Some lines on the Porto Metro have been closed, while others remain open. Commuter rail Fertagus is operating around 25 per cent of its usual daily service.

A union representing pilots has decided not to join the strike.

Workers from other sectors, such as health and education, have also announced their participation in the upcoming strike.

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