Portugal strike on 3 June 2026: flights cancelled across Europe

A nationwide one-day strike in Portugal has caused widespread flight cancellations on Wednesday 3 June 2026. TAP Air Portugal, easyJet, and numerous other airlines have scrapped flights to and from Portuguese destinations, leaving thousands of passengers across Europe facing disrupted travel plans.

Why is there a strike in Portugal?

Several Portuguese trade unions called on their members to walk out on 3 June in protest against proposed labour reforms. The reforms would make it significantly easier for employers to dismiss workers and outsource services — measures the unions see as a direct threat to job security.

The strike is broad in scope: beyond airport and cabin crew, workers in public transport and healthcare are also taking part, making this a nationwide day of action. A Portuguese cabin crew union told Bloomberg that as many as 450 flights could be cancelled as a result.

Which flights have been cancelled?

Flights to and from Portugal's main airports — Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and Funchal (Madeira) — are affected across the board. TAP Air Portugal, as the national carrier, is among the hardest hit. easyJet and several other European airlines, such as KLM and Transavia, have also cancelled a significant number of services for the day.

Passengers on cancelled flights have been notified by their airline and are being offered the choice between rebooking on an alternative flight or a full refund.

Are you entitled to compensation?

No — not for this particular disruption.

A nationwide trade union strike is classified as an extraordinary circumstance under EU Regulation 261/2004 and its British equivalent (colloquially known as UK261). This means airlines are not legally required to pay the standard compensation of €250 to €600 (£220 to £520) per passenger. The cause of the cancellation falls outside their direct control, and that exemption holds up.

What you are entitled to, regardless of the reason for cancellation, is a refund or rebooking:

• A full refund of your ticket within 7 days, or
• Rebooking on an alternative flight to your destination, at the earliest opportunity or at a later date of your choice.

It's also worth checking your travel insurance — depending on your policy, you may be able to claim back additional costs such as accommodation or a replacement flight.

Had a disrupted flight recently? You might still have a claim.

If you've experienced a delayed or cancelled flight in the past few years — on any route, with any airline — there's a good chance you're owed compensation that you never claimed. Under EU261 and UK261, passengers are entitled to up to €600 (£520) per person when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to reasons within the airline's control, such as technical faults, crew shortages, or scheduling errors.

How far back you can claim depends on the countries you flew from and to — each EU member state sets its own limitation period. In some countries, claims can go back several years, and depending on your route, that could mean 5 years or more. Many passengers simply don't know their rights, or never got around to submitting a claim at the time.

Check your claim with Flight-Delayed.com

Had a delayed or cancelled flight in the last five years that wasn't caused by a strike or extreme weather? It only takes a minute to find out if you're owed money. At Flight-Delayed.com, we work on a no win, no fee basis — we only charge if your claim is successful.