Travel: Travel disruptions news in Portugal

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.

Faro Airport is experiencing increased operational pressure following the implementation of mandatory biometric data collection for passengers arriving from outside the Schengen area. While the process is reportedly functioning smoothly at other major airports, the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (Unidade Nacional de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras or UNEF) is monitoring the situation in the Algarve. This new requirement follows the broader European Union decision to delay the full rollout of the new entry-exit system.

The Italian government is conditioning the resumption of normal travel within the Schengen Area with Spain on the evolution of the migration crisis in Ceuta. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the situation at the border as very worrying, citing national security and terrorism prevention as primary concerns for maintaining current border controls.

A cabin crew strike in France has forced EasyJet to cancel at least 40 flights over the weekend, including several connections between France and Portugal. The airline is currently contacting affected passengers to offer rebooking options or refunds as the industrial action continues.

The Spanish government has temporarily reintroduced border checks at ports and airports for passengers arriving from Italy until September 7. This decision follows a diplomatic dispute after Italy suspended the Schengen Agreement for arrivals from Spain, citing security and migration concerns.

Border control at Lisbon Airport was temporarily closed on Tuesday after passengers from a flight arriving from Brazil disembarked in the wrong area. The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) confirmed that the error led to a mix of screened and unscreened passengers, necessitating a temporary halt to operations.

Update: Lisbon Metro Red Line suspended after pipe burst

Service on the Lisbon Metro Red Line was suspended between Chelas and the Airport following a pipe burst that flooded technical rooms. The incident caused a train to stall, leading some passengers to force doors open and walk along the tracks, forcing a complete shutdown of the line.

The European Union is rolling out a new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) at borders, which is expected to cause significant travel disruptions. Airports in Portugal, including Lisbon and Faro, may face long queues and flight delays as the new digital verification process is implemented during the busy summer season.

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.

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.

The European Commission has confirmed that Portugal will temporarily suspend the collection of biometric data for the Entry/Exit System (EES) at national airports when necessary. The measure aims to prevent excessive queues during peak travel times, with the government notifying Brussels of the planned suspensions.

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.

The National Civil Aviation Authority (Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil or ANAC) has reminded passengers of their rights to refunds or alternative transport following flight cancellations. This guidance comes as geopolitical tensions begin to impact air travel schedules.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns that Europe has only about six weeks of aviation fuel reserves remaining due to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Executive Director Fatih Birol described the situation as the largest energy crisis ever faced, noting that flight cancellations may occur soon if supply chains remain disrupted. The European Commission is currently gathering data on refinery capacity to develop an emergency response plan.

The European Commission stated that initial constraints in the new European Entry/Exit System are normal, but emphasized that resolving these issues at airports is the responsibility of individual member states. The system, which came into force last Friday, caused significant delays at Portuguese airports over the weekend.

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.

Snowfall has led to the closure of several road sections in the central massif of the Serra da Estrela mountain range. The National Civil Protection Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil) confirmed that segments of the National Road (Estrada Nacional or EN) 339, including the route to the Torre summit, were closed to traffic late Tuesday.

Infrastructure limitations at Lisbon airport (Aeroporto de Lisboa) have resulted in 12% of requested flight slots for the summer season going unfulfilled. The National Air Navigation (Navegação Aérea de Portugal or NAV) warned that these capacity constraints are penalizing the tourism sector. Travelers should note that the lack of slots may limit flight options and keep ticket prices high during the peak season.

Operations at Madeira International Airport were reported as returning to normal after two days of disruptions that cancelled more than 70 flights. ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal reported that all scheduled arrivals between 08:00 and 10:00 landed and only one departure was cancelled, though it kept alerts for weather forecasts. Travellers should still check their airline status and expect last‑minute schedule changes while conditions stabilise. Those flying to or from Madeira should reconfirm flights with carriers and monitor ANA notices.