The situation at Portugal’s main airports remains unsettled as registrations stretch beyond three hours in recent weeks. In addition to chronic passport control staffing shortages identified at the start of summer, which prompted the Portuguese government to approve a contingency plan and deploy additional personnel, a new wave of strikes is anticipated from August 19 to 21. The protests by aviation workers, including aircraft maintenance technicians, promise significant disruptions to civil aviation and are likely to cause delays and hundreds of flight cancellations.
If unions and the management company Portugal Airports (ANA) fail to reach an agreement before these dates, travelers should expect changes to flights to the country’s principal hubs, notably Lisbon, Porto, and Faro, and to island destinations such as Madeira and the Azores. This unfolding situation has raised concerns among hotel operators who fear a setback to the tourism sector’s fragile recovery after two years of pandemic restrictions, just as the peak season would normally lift activity and visitor numbers.
The Algarve Association of Hotels and Tourist Businesses (AHETA) warns that striking workers could harm the industry at a time when confidence and bookings are just beginning to rebound. A spokesman emphasized by email that a strike during the height of the tourism season undermines the country’s broader recovery interests. The message underscored the need for restraint and a return to normal operations to support communities that rely on tourism for income and employment.
Air transport staff cite urgent needs for trained personnel as shortages ripple through multiple economic sectors. A coalition of unions described a strenuous workload, with insufficient human resources across airport operations, relief teams, and maintenance crews. They also pressed for higher wages, arguing that profits have recovered since the pandemic while workers have shouldered heavier burdens through labor shortages and service gaps. The call is for timely staffing and fair compensation to sustain service levels and safeguard safety standards.
The broader workforce shortage extends beyond aviation and touches the tourism industry as a whole. Government estimates indicate the country requires roughly 50,000 workers in hospitality and dining establishments to meet demand this season. Plans to attract foreign workers, particularly from Portuguese-speaking nations, are part of the strategy to fill roles rapidly and keep the tourism machine running smoothly. This approach aims to restore normal operations, protect revenue streams, and preserve the livelihoods of communities reliant on visitor spending.