Calendar as of 26 October 2026
| Date | Event | Effect at the airport | Status on 26 October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today and November | No strike found at TAP or Porto airport | Normal operation | Nothing announced |
| 11 December 2025 (past) | General strike by CGTP and UGT | TAP planned to run a third of its flights | Shows the effect of a general strike |
| 3 September 2025 to 2 January 2026 (past) | Menzies ground-handling strikes (SIMA, STA) | A court set minimums of 100% on domestic and 35% on international flights | Cancelled according to the press |
| 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 (past) | New Year strike in ground handling | No effect | Called off after an agreement |
| Ground-handling licences | Extended until at least 19 May 2026 | Source of possible disputes | Later situation not verified |
How airport strikes work
- Notice: 10 working days in transport; the Portuguese press publishes it.
- Minimum services: without agreement, an arbitration court sets them, often with high percentages on domestic flights.
- Who warns you: TAP or your airline writes to passengers whose flight is cancelled; check the app and ANA's website.
- Who can strike: the airline, ground handling, controllers, airport security.
Your rights under EU261
- Always owed: a refund or replacement flight, and care (meals, hotel, transport) during a long wait.
- Fixed compensation (250, 400 or 600 euros depending on distance): owed if the airline's own staff strike; usually not if third parties strike (controllers, security or ground handling), treated as an extraordinary circumstance.
- Where it applies: to flights departing from an EU airport, such as Porto, and to flights arriving in the EU on a European airline such as TAP.
- How to claim: from the airline, in writing, with your boarding pass and receipts.
Reaching Porto airport on a difficult day
The metro (line E, violet) links the airport to Trindade in about 25-30 minutes; STCP buses 601 and 602 and the night bus are the alternative. On a strike day with a reduced metro, a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer is safest, with a margin of two to three hours: see from Porto airport to the centre and which transfer to choose. For other dates read Strikes and disruptions in Porto and Portugal and the general strike in Portugal.
Flight cancelled or delayed by a strike: are you owed compensation?
- Who is covered: EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) applies to flights leaving the EU (any airline) and flights into the EU on an EU airline.
- Amounts: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km, if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. The amount can be cut by 50% if you are rerouted at times close to the original.
- Strike: the case on this page — It depends on who is on strike. A strike by the airline's own staff (pilots, cabin crew) usually gives a right to compensation (CJEU, TUIfly 2018 and SAS 2021). An air traffic control strike, an airport staff strike or a general strike is usually an extraordinary circumstance: no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rebooking and care (meals, hotel).
- Claim for free: directly with the airline, using the form on its website; keep your boarding pass and all proofs. Deadline depends on the country — Portugal: 3 years.
- Claims service: AirHelp checks your flight for free and handles the claim, taking a commission only if it wins (about 35% of the compensation, VAT included, plus 15% if legal action is needed). You can also claim yourself at no cost.
What to do safely during the airport strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Outing that does not depend on the strike: Douro Valley with boat trip and tasting, organised trip with transport included, no train or bus to book yourself.
- Airport hotel, free cancellation: hotels near Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro) airport, refundable if your flight is cancelled or moved.
FAQ
Is there a strike at Porto airport today?
As of 26 October 2026 we found no strike called at the airport or at TAP.
Am I entitled to compensation if TAP cancels because of a strike?
A refund or replacement flight and care, always. The 250-600 euro compensation depends on who strikes: owed if it is the airline's staff, usually not if it is third parties.
Does the airport metro run during a strike?
It depends on the strike: on 3 June 2026 the Porto metro ran at reduced frequency. Check metrodoporto.pt the day before.
Sources consulted on 26 October 2026: Rádio Renascença (9 December 2025, TAP and general strike), dnoticias and 24noticias (Menzies, 2025), Barlavento (ground-handling licences), Rádio Renascença and Observador (June 2026). This page will be updated if a strike is called.
