Jet2 has warned Brits heading on Portugal holidays that they may face longer queues due to ongoing strike action at the country's airports.
The holiday giant has issued a statement ahead of the bank holiday weekend - and half term - as industrial action is set to impact main airports in Portugal including Madeira Airport International Cristiano Ronaldo, Faro International Airport and Humberto Delgado Airport.
In a statement on its travel updates page, the holiday giant warned passengers arriving into Portugal: "Due to an Immigration Strike affecting Portugal, there may be longer queues at Border Control upon arrival on the Monday 29th May 2023. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
The return journey back to the UK is unlikely to be any smoother.
They added: "Due to an Immigration Strike affecting Portugal, there may be longer queues on Monday 29th May 2023. Please allow yourself enough time to get through by checking in and clearing security as quickly as possible. If you have already checked in for your flight, please allow extra time at the airport for the security procedures. Our customer helpers will be on hand to make your journey as smooth as possible."
The striking workers are downing tools during the busy morning hours between 5am and 10am on May 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29, and June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26, Loyalty Lobby reports.
ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, the country's airport authority, has urged people to check-in early and that “it will do everything in its power to mitigate” the impact felt by passengers.
Portugal is not the only country with an aviation industry facing chaos this summer, with air travel to Spain also likely to be impacted by industrial action this summer if a proposed pilots strike goes ahead.
The Spanish Union of Airline Pilots (SEPLA) has threatened to stage a number of walk-outs as its ongoing issues with the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agency continue to bubble.
The union and its members are fighting back against a “minimum services” law that requires pilots to work 90% of scheduled flights even when they're striking.
Air Nostrum and Air Europa pilots are currently striking and have been since February, which has brought the minimum service law into focus. The legislation means 60 of the daily 80 flights the airlines operate are stilling running despite the strikes, as pilots are required to fly them.
In a response to the law, SEPLA is considering carrying out different strikes by members in different airlines across the summer, spreading out the impact.
SEPLA has union representation in Air Nostrum, Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Swiftair, Plus Ultra, Jet 2, Eurowings and Evelop. Air traffic controllers, flight attendants and ground staff could also join the strike action, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
Air Europa workers are also considering expanding their strike to May 25, 26, 29, and 30, plus June 1 and 2 at all Spanish bases.
