General strike cancels 658 flights across Portugal

A general strike in Portugal led to 658 flight cancellations across the country on Wednesday, according to airport operator ANA, disrupting 44.7% of the 1,472 flights scheduled for the day.

Lisbon was the worst affected airport, with 408 of 658 scheduled arrivals and departures cancelled, or 62% of the total. Ponta Delgada recorded the second highest cancellation rate, with 41% of its 118 scheduled flights called off as of ANA’s 10 a.m. update.

In Porto, 108 of 335 scheduled flights were cancelled, equivalent to 32%, while Faro lost 69 of 228 planned movements, or 30%. In Madeira, 23% of the 102 scheduled flights were cancelled. Porto Santo, Horta and Santa Maria had no cancellations at that point, while two flights were cancelled in Flores.

ANA said almost all of the affected flights had been cancelled in advance, allowing passengers to be informed and rebooked. Separately, the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Crew said that, within the airlines where it had agreed minimum services, 329 of 508 scheduled flights had already been cancelled, representing 65% of the planned operation for June 3.

The union said 94 flights were covered by minimum service agreements and warned that any “abusive interpretations” by airlines to operate flights outside those requirements would be treated as a breach of the agreements. It also said the strike was not directed at airlines, but at a labour package that it argues would increase precariousness and insecurity at work.

Originally published at Eco.pt