Two Strikes Planned
Cabin crew employed by EasyJet in Portugal have voted to strike twice: from 2 to 6 October and again from 19 to 23 December. The SNPVAC union, which represents the crew, confirmed both dates this week.
The October stoppage alone could affect around 500 scheduled flights at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports, according to union estimates. Those figures assume no minimum service levels are imposed by Portuguese authorities, which sometimes mandate skeleton operations during transport strikes.
The December action lands squarely in the Christmas travel window, when airlines typically run fuller schedules and demand peaks. That timing raises the potential for wider disruption, both in passenger numbers affected and in the carrier's ability to recover quickly.
What Crew Are Asking For
The union spokesperson said working conditions have worsened despite repeated warnings, and that EasyJet has not addressed the underlying problems. Specific complaints include unstable rosters that make it hard for crew to plan their lives, breaches of the company agreement, what the union describes as discriminatory treatment compared with pilots, failures in operational planning, and pressure to work overtime to cover staffing gaps.
Those concerns are not unusual in the low-cost sector, where lean crew numbers and high aircraft utilisation can leave little buffer when things go wrong. But the union argues the airline has let the situation slide.
EasyJet, for its part, said it was "extremely disappointed" by the strike plans. The carrier pointed out that talks mediated by Portugal's labour authority, DGERT, are still under way, with the aim of reaching an agreement that addresses crew concerns while keeping the Portuguese operation sustainable. The airline described the union's demands as "unworkable" and said crew pay is already well above the national average in Portugal.
What It Means for Travellers
Passengers booked on EasyJet flights to, from or within Portugal during the strike windows should expect possible cancellations or last-minute changes. The airline said it would do everything possible to minimise disruption, which usually means rebooking on the next available flight, offering refunds, or arranging alternative transport where feasible.
Under EU261 rules, passengers on cancelled flights are entitled to a refund or rerouting, plus compensation in many cases - though strikes are sometimes classed as extraordinary circumstances, which can exempt the airline from paying compensation. The distinction often hinges on whether the strike is internal to the airline or involves third parties such as air traffic control.
Travellers with plans around those dates might consider flexible tickets, travel insurance that covers industrial action, or booking with another carrier if alternatives exist. Faro, in particular, is a busy gateway to the Algarve, and December is a quieter month there than summer, but Lisbon and Porto see year-round demand.
Broader Context
Labour disputes have flared across European aviation in recent years, driven by post-pandemic crew shortages, inflation eroding real wages, and stretched schedules as airlines ramped capacity back up. Portugal is no exception: ground handlers, air traffic controllers and cabin crew at other carriers have all taken action in the past two years.
For EasyJet, Portugal is a significant market. The airline operates a base in Lisbon and serves the country's main airports with a mix of domestic and international routes. Any prolonged disruption risks pushing passengers toward competitors such as Ryanair, TAP Air Portugal or Wizz Air, all of which have substantial Portuguese networks.
The outcome of the DGERT-mediated talks will determine whether the strikes go ahead as planned or are called off. For now, both sides appear dug in, and travellers with bookings in early October or late December should keep a close eye on their flight status.
