Portugal flights disrupted in second day of airports strike

By Euronews with AP • Updated: 18/07/2021

Passengers queue at the counter of Groundforce, a ground handling company at Lisbon airport, beneath a screen showing departing flights Saturday, July 17, 2021. - Copyright Armando Franca/AP

A strike by airport baggage handlers and ground crews in Portugal was expected to cause a second day of disruption Sunday, with most flights into and out of Lisbon cancelled.

The 48-hour walkout forced the cancellation of around 300 flights on Saturday, mostly in Lisbon. Long lines formed as stranded passengers sought to rearrange their travel plans.

A similar number of flights could be affected Sunday.

The strike is part of an ongoing financial dispute between Portuguese handling company Groundforce and national flag carrier TAP Air Portugal, which is bearing the brunt of the cancellations.

Groundforce claims TAP owes it €12 million for services rendered and blames the debt for unpaid wages among its staff.

TAP denies it owes Groundforce any money.