Flights disrupted by strike in major European country - routes from Midlands airports could be affected

Hundreds of flights are being disrupted by a general strike in Portugal today, with travellers warned to prepare for delays and last-minute changes.

The walkout, called by Portugal’s largest union CGTP, is set to cause disruption across the country.

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Among those walking out are rail workers, cabin crew and public transport staff, sectors that directly affect holidaymakers.

Strike action is predicted to cause disruption at airports across the country. Both Birmingham Airport and East Midlands Airport offer flights to Portugal.

Ricardo Penarróias, president of a cabin crew union representing flight attendants at TAP Air Portugal, said 500 flights were at risk of being cancelled and delayed.

TAP, Portugal’s flag carrier, said only 79 flights would operate ‘with the rest of that day’s schedule cancelled’.

Local media were told by union bosses that flights with easyJet and Ryanair could also be impacted, but the Irish airline told The Independent it was not anticipating any impacts to its operation.

Jet2 said it would be monitoring the situation and told passengers to prepare for ‘longer than normal queues and disruption to flights.’

The strike has been called in protest of the labour reforms which would make it easier for companies to dismiss employees and remove caps on outsourcing, according to unions.