Brits have been warned of travel chaos at six holiday hotspots as airport staff go out on strike. The disruption is affecting Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores, with walk-outs scheduled every weekend in August. The impact is also reported to be widespread, impacting airports in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Liverpool. Airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Wizz Air and regional carriers are expected to “operate at reduced capacity”, meaning between 50 and 60 UK flights will be impacted, affecting between 9,000 and 10,800 Britons per week, who “could face delayed or cancelled flights, missed connections, and added stress”.

Many travellers, including thousands of Brits, are finding themselves without their luggage, aviation specialists report. SPdH/Menzies ground staff, who handle baggage at Portugal’s main airports, are taking industrial action, supported by the SIMA union. Workers are protesting against low wages, unpaid night shifts and a purportedly broken pay agreement after a takeover by Menzies Aviation.

Those in the know have pointed out that travellers can claim reimbursement for essential purchases, such as clothing, hygiene products, and medication, made while waiting for their bags. In some cases, they may also be eligible for a fixed compensation of up to £1,600. 

“Many travellers don’t realise that, in the case of lost or delayed baggage, airlines are still responsible, even during a strike,” aviation expert and Founder of AirAdvisor, Anton Radchenko, said.

“This is clearly established by the Montreal Convention: unless the airline can prove it took all reasonable measures to prevent the damage, it is liable for compensation.”

Mentioning that AirAdvisor has launched a “one-of-a-kind” online tool available for free that “allows travellers to instantly check whether compensation is possible”, Mr Radchenko added: “The issue isn’t just flight cancellations or delays; the real problem is baggage handling. Thousands of passengers are without their belongings for several days.

“That means clothing, medication, and sometimes essential items are left behind with no immediate assistance. On social media, the images speak for themselves: abandoned luggage, distressed families, endless queues at airline service counters.

“But behind the chaos, passengers do have rights.”

He also advised customers to bear in mind one thing.

“However, keep in mind that compensation is never automatic,” the expert said. “To have a chance of reimbursement, passengers must file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) at the airport upon arrival.

“Without this document, no claim can be processed. It’s equally important to keep all supporting documents: boarding pass, baggage tag, receipts for emergency purchases, etc. The more evidence you have, the better your chances of success.”