SATA ground-handling strike, 21 October–3 November 2026

SATA Handling ground staff, who handle aircraft and passengers at airports in the Azores, will strike for three hours a day from 21 October to 3 November. The SITAVA and SINTAC unions called it to oppose the Azores regional government's plan to sell the whole ground-handling business to a private company. From 21 to 27 October the stoppage runs from 07:30 to 10:30 Azores time, and from 28 October to 3 November from 16:00 to 19:00 (Lisbon is an hour ahead). SATA has warned of possible delays and schedule changes on SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, and on 20 October an arbitration tribunal set minimum services; the unions called the ruling disproportionate but said they would comply in full while they challenge it in court.

What to do

If you fly to or from the Azores with SATA Air Açores or Azores Airlines between 21 October and 3 November, allow for delays and check your flight at azoresairlines.pt before you leave for the airport. SATA says passengers booked during the strike can move to dates outside it without penalties, and it suggests checking in online and travelling with hand luggage only if you can.

If your flight was cancelled or badly delayed, see your EU rights when a strike cancels a flight: a refund or another flight, meals and a hotel, and when compensation is due.

For how strikes in Lisbon usually play out, and what keeps running, see what still runs during a strike in Lisbon.

Related

• Every transport strike in Portugal since 2023, in numbers