Published on : 02 Oct 2026
The easyJet Portugal cabin crew strike is live. Today is Day 1. Manchester Airport has already had two return flights to Portugal cancelled. Across the Lisbon, Porto and Faro network, easyJet has pre-cancelled services affecting at least 35 UK return flights — and the full impact of today’s walkout will become clearer throughout the morning as remaining flights either depart or are pulled from the board. This article will guide you through every step of Day 1.
The easyJet Portugal cabin crew strike started today, Friday October 2, 2026. Cabin crew employed by easyJet at its Lisbon, Porto and Faro bases have walked out for the first of five consecutive days, with the walkout running through Tuesday October 6 and taking in Portugal’s Republic Day national holiday on Monday October 5.
The union behind the strike — SNPVAC (National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel) — estimates that around 500 scheduled flights on the Lisbon-Porto-Faro network could be affected across the five strike days, before accounting for any minimum service orders imposed by Portugal’s civil aviation regulator ANAC.
AirHelp CEO Tomasz Pawliszyn said today: “With the return of easyJet strikes in Portugal towards the end of the year, it’s important for passengers to stay ahead of the disruption and monitor their journey closely in the lead up to their departure.”
Published: October 2, 2026 — Day 1 of 5, LIVE Strike period: October 2–6, 2026 (Day 1 of 5 today) Union: SNPVAC — National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel Vote result: Unanimous — 188 easyJet members present Airports: Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS) · Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO) · Faro (FAO) Flights at risk (full 5 days): ~500 (SNPVAC estimate, before minimum services) UK return flights confirmed cancelled: 35 (easyJet confirmation) Manchester confirmed cancels: 2 return flights to Portugal — passengers contacted Liverpool status: Unaffected so far Republic Day timing: Portugal national holiday Monday October 5 = long weekend peak December strike: December 19–23 also confirmed (second walkout) Dispute: Pay, rostering, working conditions — SNPVAC alleges below-market wages vs other Portuguese airlines and vs easyJet in other EU countries Scab-crew concern: SNPVAC alleges easyJet imports managers and crew from other countries to break strikes — may limit effectiveness Minimum services: ANAC may impose minimum service requirements — some flights could still operate EU261 compensation: ✅ Up to €400 per passenger (most UK–Portugal routes) — own-employee strike is NOT extraordinary circumstances easyJet’s position: “Extremely disappointed” — offering free transfers or refunds to affected passengers Confirmed by: AirHelp · Euro Weekly News · BritBrief (x2) · Business Travel News Europe · Aviation A2Z · IamExpat · Your own published article
The strike began at the start of the business day on Friday October 2. Cabin crew employed by easyJet at its three Portuguese bases — Lisbon, Porto, and Faro — have walked out under the SNPVAC dispute.
What this means in practice: Cabin crew based in Portugal are required to operate flights that originate from Portugal. Outbound flights from Lisbon, Porto and Faro are therefore the most directly affected. However, because easyJet operates a point-to-point network where aircraft rotate between airports throughout the day, UK-originating flights to Portugal are also affected — if the aircraft that should arrive from Portugal to collect passengers in Manchester, Bristol, or Edinburgh has been cancelled, the return sector from the UK is also disrupted.
Manchester Airport — 2 return flights confirmed cancelled today:
easyJet has cancelled two return flights from Manchester Airport to Portugal today. The airline confirmed affected customers have been contacted directly and offered options including a free transfer or a refund. Liverpool flights are unaffected as of this morning — although Liverpool passengers should continue to monitor their flight status as Day 1 progresses.
The 35 UK return flights:
Across all UK airports, easyJet confirmed that around 35 return flights involving the UK have already been impacted by the planned October disruption. These pre-cancellations were made in advance to allow passengers to rearrange their travel plans — a legally required step under EU261 when airlines know in advance that disruption will occur.
Minimum services:
Portugal’s civil aviation regulator ANAC has the power to require easyJet to maintain minimum service levels during the strike. If a minimum services order is in force, a proportion of today’s scheduled flights will operate — but the proportion and specific routes protected are determined by ANAC, not easyJet, and are not publicly announced in advance. Some flights may therefore still depart today even from striking crew bases.
The scab-crew question:
The SNPVAC union has previously alleged that easyJet substitutes striking crew with managers and colleagues brought in from other network countries, enabling flights to proceed that would otherwise be grounded. If this occurs on Day 1, the strike’s visible impact may be lower than the 500-flight estimate — but it would not change your legal rights if your specific flight is cancelled.
The highest-risk flights on Day 1 are those departing Portugal this morning and the corresponding UK-originating return services. EasyJet operates flights to Portugal from the following UK airports:
| UK Airport | Portugal routes served | Day 1 status |
|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick (LGW) | Lisbon · Porto · Faro | HIGH RISK — monitor now |
| London Luton (LTN) | Lisbon · Porto · Faro | HIGH RISK — monitor now |
| Manchester (MAN) | Lisbon · Porto · Faro | ⚠️ 2 RETURNS CANCELLED CONFIRMED |
| Bristol (BRS) | Lisbon · Faro | HIGH RISK — monitor now |
| Edinburgh (EDI) | Lisbon · Faro | HIGH RISK — monitor now |
| Birmingham (BHX) | Lisbon · Faro | HIGH RISK — monitor now |
| Liverpool (LPL) | Faro · Lisbon | ✅ Unaffected as of this morning |
| Glasgow (GLA) | Lisbon · Faro | HIGH RISK — monitor now |
| Newcastle (NCL) | Faro · Lisbon | RISK — monitor |
| Belfast (BFS) | Lisbon · Faro | RISK — monitor |
| Southend (SEN) | Lisbon · Porto | ⚠️ Previously cancelled |
Check your flight now: easyjet.com → Manage Trips → Your booking. The app updates more frequently than the website during disruption events.
Today’s Day 1 could not be worse timed for passengers. October 5 — this coming Monday — is Dia da República (Republic Day), Portugal’s national public holiday commemorating the establishment of the Portuguese Republic in 1910.
When Republic Day falls on a Monday, as it does this year, it creates a four-day long weekend from Friday to Monday. Demand for flights to and from Portugal on this specific weekend — October 2 through 6 — is among the highest of the entire autumn season. It is a peak weekend for:
SNPVAC chose this timing deliberately. The union’s strategy is to maximise commercial pressure on easyJet by striking during the highest-possible-demand period — exactly when the airline can least afford to cancel flights and most needs passengers to book. For passengers, this means that today’s disruption is hitting a significantly more congested day than an ordinary Friday in October, and that alternative flights and accommodation are going to be harder to find.
easyJet’s official position: “We are extremely disappointed that SNPVAC is planning strike actions despite our willingness to continue a constructive dialogue. We are doing everything we can to minimize the impact of the strike on our customers including actioning some cancellations in advance to allow our customers to rearrange their travel plans.”
The airline confirmed it remains involved in discussions with the union and a conciliation process mediated by Portugal’s labour authority, DGERT. A settlement would immediately end the strike — but no such agreement has been announced as of Day 1 this morning.
Watch for: Any mid-strike settlement announcement. If easyJet and SNPVAC reach a deal during the October 2–6 window, the remaining strike days may be called off. The Icelandair mechanics strike in September 2026 ended after 11 hours when parties agreed to enter negotiations — a similar rapid resolution is possible but not guaranteed here.
Also watch for: easyJet importing staff from other countries (UK, France, Switzerland, Germany) to operate flights. If this occurs today, fewer flights will be cancelled than the 500-flight estimate — but passengers on cancelled services retain full rights regardless.
October 2 brings a simultaneous disruption for passengers who had planned to route via Italy: a national Italian transport strike is also active today. The Italy national strike today covers trains from 11:00 to 14:00, including the Malpensa Express (Milan airport link) and major Trenitalia services.
For passengers who had planned to route around the easyJet Portugal cancellations by flying easyJet to Milan and then connecting to Portugal via another carrier — or for UK passengers already in Italy who were flying home via easyJet’s Milan services — today’s Italian transport disruption compounds the picture further.
The double-disruption of easyJet Portugal (flights) and Italian transport (trains and Milan airport links) on the same day creates one of the most complex UK travel environments of October 2026. Check both your flight and your ground transport connections before leaving home today.
Every major disruption your site covered in September 2026 — NATS, FAA fibre cut, Riyadh missile attack, Heathrow cyberattack — was argued as extraordinary circumstances by airlines, limiting fixed cash compensation. Today is different.
An easyJet cabin crew strike by easyJet’s own directly employed Portuguese staff is squarely within easyJet’s operational sphere. The European Court of Justice confirmed in Krüsemann v TUIfly (C-195/17, 2018) that own-employee industrial action does not constitute extraordinary circumstances. SNPVAC’s strike was pre-announced on September 17. easyJet had 15 days’ notice. The dispute involves the airline’s own pay and working conditions. Fixed EU261 cash compensation is applicable.
| Distance | EU261 / UK261 compensation |
|---|---|
| Under 1,500km | €250 / £220 per passenger |
| 1,500–3,500km | €400 / £350 per passenger |
| Over 3,500km | €600 / £520 per passenger |
UK–Portugal routes (Gatwick to Faro approximately 1,780km; Manchester to Lisbon approximately 1,840km; Edinburgh to Lisbon approximately 2,050km): €400 / £350 per passenger.
A family of four: Up to €1,600 / £1,400 total compensation.
EU261 reduces or eliminates compensation when passengers are informed more than 14 days before departure. SNPVAC announced the strike on September 17 — 15 days before October 2. This places today’s Day 1 exactly at the edge of the 14-day threshold. For passengers whose flights were cancelled:
Check the date on the cancellation email or notification your airline sent you.
easyJet will attempt to offer rebooking on a later easyJet service and argue for a 50% reduction if you arrive within 2 hours of your original planned arrival time. If you accept a rebooked flight and arrive within 2 hours (for routes under 3,500km), compensation may be halved to €200/£175. If you choose a full refund rather than rebooking, full compensation remains applicable.
Regardless of compensation eligibility:
Keep all receipts. Claim reimbursement at easyjet.com → Help → Disruption Claim.
If your flight is not yet cancelled but you’re flying today:
Open the easyJet app now. Check flight status. Do not drive to the airport without confirming your flight is operating. Ring-fence alternative options now — see the alternatives section below.
If your flight has just been cancelled:
Do not accept a voucher or easyJet credit without first explicitly requesting the cash refund and EU261 compensation you are entitled to. The airline may default to offering credits — always request cash.
Contact easyJet: easyjet.com → Help → Disruption. Phone: 0330 365 5000.
Claim EU261 compensation:
If you need to travel to Portugal today regardless:
| Alternative | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TAP Air Portugal | Heathrow/Gatwick → Lisbon | Multiple daily — book now |
| Ryanair | Stansted/Manchester/Bristol → Lisbon/Porto/Faro | Separate crews — NOT affected by easyJet strike |
| Jet2 | Birmingham/Manchester/Leeds/Edinburgh/Glasgow → Faro | Strong Algarve capacity — NOT affected |
| British Airways | Heathrow → Lisbon | Higher fare point — check availability |
Do NOT proactively rebook yourself to an alternative airline and then claim EU261 from easyJet. If you rebook before easyJet formally cancels your flight, you forfeit compensation rights. Wait for easyJet to cancel first — then claim.
SNPVAC has confirmed a second five-day walkout from December 19 to 23, 2026 — four days before Christmas Eve. This strike remains active regardless of what happens in October. If you have easyJet Portugal bookings in the December 19–23 window, your rights are identical to today’s October strike.
The December strike is currently generating less coverage than October — but it will become the dominant story in mid-December, landing at a time when flights are at or near maximum capacity and alternatives are scarce. Monitor the SNPVAC-easyJet negotiation outcome from the October action as a leading indicator of whether December is resolved or proceeds.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| easyJet flight status | easyjet.com → Manage Trips (update every 15 min today) |
| easyJet UK phone | 0330 365 5000 |
| easyJet disruption claim | easyjet.com → Help → Disruption |
| AirHelp (EU261) | airhelp.com — no-win no-fee |
| AirAdvisor (EU261/UK261) | airadvisor.com |
| Bottonline (UK261) | bottonline.co.uk |
| CAA PACT (UK261 escalation) | caa.co.uk/passengers |
| TAP Air Portugal | flytap.com |
| Ryanair (alternative) | ryanair.com |
| Jet2 (Algarve alternative) | jet2.com |
| Lisbon Airport status | ana.pt → Lisbon → Departures |
| Porto Airport status | ana.pt → Porto → Departures |
| Faro Airport status | ana.pt → Faro → Departures |
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Day | Day 1 of 5 (October 2) |
| Strike active | ✅ Confirmed live from today |
| Airports | Lisbon (LIS) · Porto (OPO) · Faro (FAO) |
| Total flights at risk | ~500 across October 2–6 |
| UK return flights cancelled | 35 (easyJet confirmed) |
| Manchester cancels | 2 return flights confirmed |
| Liverpool | Unaffected as of this morning |
| Republic Day timing | Oct 5 Monday national holiday = peak demand |
| Minimum services | ANAC may impose — some flights could still operate |
| Scab-crew risk | SNPVAC alleges easyJet may import staff to break strike |
| EU261 compensation | ✅ Up to €400 per passenger — own-employee strike |
| 14-day notice | Sept 17 announcement = 15 days before Day 1 — check your notification date |
| Best immediate action | Wait for easyJet to cancel — then claim; do NOT self-rebook first |
| December strike | December 19–23 still confirmed |
| easyJet position | “Extremely disappointed” — discussions continuing via DGERT |
Related Articles:
Posted By : Vinay
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Travel advisories, airline schedules, airport operations, visa requirements, government regulations, and other travel-related information are subject to change without prior notice. While Travel Tourister makes reasonable efforts to verify information using official announcements, government publications, airline and airport communications, and other reliable sources, we cannot guarantee that all information remains complete, accurate, or up to date at all times. Readers should independently verify any information that may affect their travel plans with the relevant airline, airport authority, government agency, embassy, or other official source before making travel, financial, or other decisions. Travel Tourister shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, inconvenience, or damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article. Nothing in this publication constitutes legal, immigration, financial, or professional travel advice. If you believe any information in this article is inaccurate or outdated, please contact our editorial team. We review all credible correction requests promptly and update our content whenever appropriate.
Lastest News
2nd Floor, 39, Above Kirti Club, DLF Industrial Area, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110015
Travel Tourister is a leading Travel portal where we introduce travellers to trusted travel agents to make their journey hasselfree, memorable And happy. Travel Tourister is a platform where travellers get Tour packages ,Hotel packages deals through trusted travel companies And hoteliers who are working with us across the world. We always try to find new and more travel agents and hoteliers from every nook and corners across the world so that you could compare the deals with different travel agents and hoteliers and book your tour or hotel with the one you have chosen according to your taste and budget.
Copyright © Travel Tourister, India. All Rights Reserved
Call
Enquiry