Travel: Public transport news in Portugal

Passengers arriving at Lisbon Airport (Aeroporto Humberto Delgado) can now access fixed-rate taxi fares intended to eliminate tourist overcharging and illegal transport practices. The standardized pricing follows a protocol signed between transport authorities and industry associations to tackle repeated passenger complaints regarding altered meters and refusal to accept electronic payments. The fixed rates provide travelers with predictable pricing for trips from the airport terminal into central Lisbon.

Taxis departing from the arrivals terminal at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (Aeroporto Humberto Delgado) must now apply fixed fares ranging between €16 and €19 depending on the destination zone. The measure, agreed between the Lisbon City Council (Câmara Municipal de Lisboa) and national taxi associations, aims to curb overcharging and improper ride refusals. Full implementation of the airport system, including mandatory card payment terminals and vehicle accreditation, is scheduled for early November.

Construction started on Monday on the first section of the high-speed rail line connecting Porto-Campanhã to Oiã in the Aveiro district. Once finished, the route will cut rail travel time between Lisbon and Porto to one hour and 15 minutes. Minister of Infrastructure and Housing (Ministro das Infraestruturas e Habitação) Miguel Pinto Luz called high-speed rail one of the country's largest infrastructure investments of the century, with complete links to Vigo and Madrid planned by 2032 and 2034.

A five-day cabin crew strike at easyJet led to the cancellation of 370 flights in Portugal, according to the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC). Union president Ricardo Penarroias reported 100% staff participation at Portuguese bases, resulting in an overall cancellation rate of approximately 90%. easyJet grounded 343 flights prior to the walkout and cancelled 30 more while the strike was underway.

A cabin crew strike in Portugal has grounded hundreds of easyJet flights, with the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) reporting nearly 370 cancellations and an impact near 90%. EasyJet disputed those figures, stating it cancelled flights in advance and expects to operate 428 out of 442 scheduled services during the stoppage. The union warned that disruptions will continue through Friday.

A strike by EasyJet cabin crew has resulted in the cancellation of approximately 90% of the airline's flights in Portugal. The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) reports total participation in the walkout, which is scheduled to continue until Tuesday. The union is demanding improvements to roster stability, seniority-based pay progression, and company agreement negotiations.

A strike by EasyJet cabin crew has led to the cancellation of approximately 80% of the airline's scheduled flights. The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) reports that 443 flights were canceled, while accusing the company of failing to comply with labor laws regarding wages and scheduling stability.

A strike by cabin crew members has led to the cancellation of 80% of easyJet flights operating within Portugal. The walkout, organized by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC), began on Friday and is scheduled to continue until Tuesday, affecting bases in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro.

The Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations (Direção-Geral do Emprego e das Relações de Trabalho or DGERT) has decreed minimum services for upcoming cabin crew strikes at easyJet. The industrial action is scheduled for October 2-6 and December 19-23, affecting flights from Lisbon, Porto, and Faro to various European and domestic destinations.

The government has requested further information from ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal regarding the expansion strategy for the New Lisbon Airport (Novo Aeroporto de Lisboa or NAL). Officials are seeking justification for the current terminal configuration and are pushing to accelerate the project's timeline, which is currently scheduled for completion in 2037.

The Lisbon Metropolitan Council has approved new public transport tickets aimed at visitors and event attendees. The new Navegante passes will cost 15 euros for one day or 37.50 euros for five days, though a start date for sales has not yet been announced.

Cabin crew for easyJet in Portugal have voted to strike from 2 to 6 October and 19 to 23 December over pay and working conditions. The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) warns that the October walkout could ground approximately 500 flights at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports.

Starting October 15, taxi trips from Lisbon Airport will transition to a fixed-fare system to improve price transparency. Depending on the destination zone, passengers will pay either 16 or 19 euros, following an agreement between taxi associations and the Lisbon City Council.

Update: DECO challenges legality of new airport taxi fares

The Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection (Associação Portuguesa para a Defesa do Consumidor or DECO) has questioned the legality of the new fixed-fare protocol. The organization argues that the measure may limit consumer choice and potentially penalize passengers who would otherwise benefit from metered rates.

The public transport operator Carris plans to announce the future strategy for the Glória Funicular this coming Monday, with a new service expected to launch in 2029. Meanwhile, the legal process regarding past accidents continues, with reports suggesting that compensation for foreign victims may differ from that of Portuguese citizens.

The government is extending the 20-euro Green Rail Pass (Passe Ferroviário Verde) to include urban train services in Lisbon and Porto starting in the third week of September. This expansion, coinciding with European Mobility Week, also covers the Fertagus line to reduce transport costs for commuters.

Traffic on the A2 motorway is restricted near Alcácer do Sal in the direction of Lisbon due to urgent repairs on an expansion joint. The motorway operator, Brisa, has limited vehicles to the left lane at kilometer 80 and advises drivers to exercise caution.

The Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente or APA) has approved the execution project for the first section of the high-speed rail line connecting Porto and Lisbon. The route between Campanhã and Oiã will feature a combined rail and road bridge over the Douro River and an underground station in Gaia. Construction is expected to begin this month, with the full line projected to connect the two cities in 1 hour and 32 minutes by 2032.

A TAP Air Portugal flight bound for Curitiba, Brazil, returned to Lisbon on Saturday after the captain declared an emergency. The Airbus A330 experienced a suspected depressurization issue at 30,000 feet, prompting a descent to 10,000 feet and a fuel-dumping maneuver before landing safely. No injuries were reported among those on board.

The Cais do Sodré metro station in Lisbon will be closed to the public from August 8 to August 26. The closure is required for railway signalling upgrades as part of the construction of the new Circular Line, with bus services provided by Carris as an alternative.

A high-speed rail link will connect the future Lisbon airport to the city center in 20 minutes. The new airport project, estimated to cost between 7.9 and 8.9 billion euros, is expected to open in 2035 and will be supported by extensive new rail, road, and utility infrastructure.

Electric trains are set to begin full service on the Algarve line this Sunday, marking the end of a project that began over two decades ago. The upgrade is expected to reduce travel time between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António by 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the government confirmed that the diesel trains previously used on this route will be redeployed to support rail services in the Alentejo and Western regions.

Public transport services in the Algés area will be reinforced from Thursday through Sunday to accommodate 60,000 daily attendees at the NOS Alive festival. The PSP will coordinate a special security operation, and organizers have reminded attendees that items such as glass bottles and offensive posters are prohibited.

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz stated that there is no longer chaos at Portuguese airports, citing a reinforcement of security forces for border control. The government expects a calmer summer season for travelers following these operational adjustments.

A 24-hour general strike called by the General Confederation of the Portuguese Workers (CGTP) is causing significant disruptions across Portugal today, June 3. The protest, which targets proposed labour law reforms, has grounded over 500 flights and halted Lisbon Metro operations. While the government maintains the reforms are necessary for economic competitiveness, unions and opposition parties argue the measures represent a regression in workers' rights.

Update: Parliament schedules debate on labour reforms for June 18

Following the day of industrial action, the Assembly of the Republic has officially scheduled the discussion of the government's contested labour package for June 18. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro criticized the strike as disruptive and unproductive, while union leaders reported high turnout across various sectors.

Luxair has postponed flights to and from Lisbon and Porto originally scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, due to the nationwide general strike in Portugal. The airline confirmed that while these major hubs are affected, flights to Funchal and Faro are expected to proceed as planned. Passengers are advised to check their flight status as the industrial action impacts aviation and ground handling services across the country.

Transport workers across Portugal have announced a nationwide strike, expected to cause significant delays and cancellations for both rail and road services. Commuters and travelers are advised to check schedules in advance and seek alternative arrangements during the industrial action.

Two French children, aged three and five, who were abandoned by their parents in Alcácer do Sal last week, have returned to France. The Setúbal Judicial Court confirmed that the repatriation was organized through cooperation between Portuguese and French authorities to ensure the children's well-being. The case remains under investigation following the initial discovery of the minors alone on a road.

The government has approved the creation of a Single Social Benefit (Prestação Social Única or PSU) to consolidate 13 existing support schemes, including the Social Insertion Income (Rendimento Social de Inserção or RSI). The new policy requires working-age recipients to perform up to 15 hours of community work per week, with non-compliance resulting in the loss of benefits. Former Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho noted that the measure originated from a proposal by the previous socialist administration, while several left-wing parties have criticized the mandatory social work requirement.

Portugal's public accounts shifted from a surplus in March to a deficit of 1.548 billion euros by the end of April. According to data from the Budgetary Entity, this negative balance represents a significant decline compared to the same period last year, driven by reduced revenue in central and regional administrations. While tax revenue saw a modest 1.2% increase, overall public expenditure grew by 6.9%.

The SATA aviation group is operating extraordinary flights between Sunday and Monday to clear a backlog of passengers caused by heavy fog in the Azores. The weather conditions, which began on Friday, forced the cancellation of multiple flights operated by SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines.

A nationwide general strike is scheduled for June 3, 2026, which is expected to cause significant disruptions to flights, trains, metros, and bus services. Major tourist hubs including Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are likely to be affected by the industrial action.

Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz acknowledged that long border control queues at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports are damaging Portugal's international image. Passenger numbers have risen by nearly 70% over the last decade, yet infrastructure and staffing levels have not kept pace, leading to significant delays for travelers arriving from outside the Schengen Area.

The national rail operator, CP, has launched a public tender worth 504 million euros to acquire 12 high-speed trains, with options for eight additional units. Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz confirmed the project aims for operational status by 2032, connecting Lisbon, Porto, and Vigo, with the first new trains expected to arrive in 2031.

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Miguel Pinto Luz confirmed the government may suspend the new Entry/Exit System (Entry/Exit System or EES) at airports this summer to protect Portugal's international image. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas also advocated for the suspension, citing recent border control delays that have caused significant passenger queues and created a negative impression of the country.

Workers from Carris, Carristur, and cabin crew represented by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil or SNPVAC) have voted to join the general strike called by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) on June 3rd. Passenger transport companies across the country are also mobilizing for the stoppage, which protests the government's proposed labour reform package.

Travelers at Lisbon and Faro airports faced significant wait times for border control this Sunday morning. The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) attributed the delays to technical IT issues and high passenger volume, noting that operations have since returned to normal reference parameters.

Passengers at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport experienced significant delays at border control this Saturday due to technical and IT difficulties. Both the airport operator, ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, and the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) confirmed that waiting times exceeded one hour for departures outside the Schengen Area.

Passengers at Humberto Delgado Airport continue to experience long queues at passport control, a situation exacerbated by the full operation of the European Entry/Exit System (Sistema de Entrada/Saída or EES). While expansion works in the border area are scheduled for inauguration on May 29, airline associations are calling for a suspension of the current system.

Severe weather conditions have disrupted air traffic at the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Madeira, leading to multiple flight cancellations and diversions. Meanwhile, a report by AirAdvisor identified the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto as having one of the highest rates of prolonged delays in Europe during 2025, with an average wait time exceeding 100 minutes for delayed flights.

The Lisbon Metro (Metropolitano de Lisboa) will suspend service on the Green Line between Rossio and Cais do Sodré from May 2 to May 5. The closure is necessary for construction work on the new circular line, with normal operations expected to resume on May 6.

The National Association of Travel Agencies (Associação Nacional de Agências de Viagens or ANAV) has raised concerns regarding the implementation of a new border control system at Portuguese airports. The association warns that the transition could lead to severe congestion and longer queues for travelers. ANAV is calling for urgent coordination among authorities to mitigate potential disruptions.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) has suspended the collection of biometric data at departures in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports. The measure aims to prevent long waiting times and missed flights for passengers. The PSP stated that the suspension is automatic whenever queues exceed reference times and does not compromise border security.

The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) suspended biometric data collection at departures in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports on Saturday morning to prevent passengers from missing flights due to excessive wait times. The system, part of the new European Entry/Exit System, resumed operations by the early afternoon. Officials confirmed that biometric collection remains active for all arrivals.

Update: Airport biometric data collection resumes after temporary suspension

PSP spokesperson Sérgio Soares confirmed that biometric data collection is now operating at full capacity for both departures and arrivals. The suspension was a contingency measure implemented after the new border control system caused significant queues, leading some passengers to miss their flights.

The operator of the maritime route between Madeira and Porto Santo has cancelled the Lobo Marinho ship's trips scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday between the two islands.

TAP will operate the Faro–Funchal route throughout the year and add a third weekly frequency after a successful summer, the airline's COO Mário Chaves said. The year‑round service improves direct links between the Algarve and Madeira in winter months and may help travellers and businesses planning off‑season trips. Those booking travel between the regions should check TAP's seasonal schedules for the new frequencies.