Brits face holiday travel misery as wave of strikes threatens hundreds of flights from UK to Portugal and Spain

Published: 08:48 EDT, 29 October 2026 | Updated: 08:48 EDT, 29 October 2026 Brits heading to Portugal and Spain could face travel disruption as a fresh wave of strikes threatens flights during the busy run-up to Christmas.EasyJet staff are set to stage five days of industrial action in Portugal from December 19 to 23, with walkouts planned in Lisbon, Porto and Faro.The strikes were announced earlier this year by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC), which cited disputes over last-minute schedule changes, pay progression and compliance with company agreements, according to The Portugal News.The planned action follows a previous round of strikes between October 2 and 6, which was expected to ground around 500 flights.EasyJet operates flights between the UK and Portugal from several airports, including London Gatwick, Luton, Southend, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Manchester, leaving holidaymakers travelling on these routes potentially facing disruption.However, the number of flights expected to be affected by the December strikes has not yet been announced. Strikes are expected and will impact several airports in Portugal, including Lisbon (pictured)Further disruption could also be on the horizon, with a possible general strike in Portugal on November 11 coinciding with planned industrial action in Spain. The possible action has been dubbed an 'Iberian general strike' and it will involve Portuguese unions as well as Spain's two main trade union confederations – the General Workers' Union (UGT) and Comisiones Obreras (CCOO).'It is up to the Portuguese to decide whether, in the end, we join forces in a mobilisation across the Iberian Peninsula that would also be historic,' Unai Sordo, CCOO secretary-general, said according to Euro News. In Spain, the strike could take place 18 days before elections called by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.There have been protests over the cost of living and housing affordability in both countries. Meanwhile, over in Italy trains and planes are expected to be hit by a 24-hour national strike tomorrow (October 30).Pisa and Florence airports could be affected as ground handling staff are set to participate in the action, and railway staff could walk out from 9pm today (October 29) to 8.59pm tomorrow. The action, involving easyJet staff, is scheduled to take place from December 19 to 23At the time of the easyJet strikes earlier this month, an airline spokesman said: 'We are extremely disappointed that SNPVAC is planning strike actions despite our willingness to continue a constructive dialogue. 'We had just started a conciliation process through the mediation of DGERT with the aim to reach an agreement to meet our employees' requests and protect the sustainability of easyJet business in Portugal.'The current union demands are unworkable especially given that our crew are already paid significantly above the Portuguese national average.'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 Daily Mail has approached easyJet for comment.