Around two hundred flights were canceled today due to a strike by Groundforce check-in staff at Lisbon Airport. The protest will last until Sunday evening, the number of canceled flights will probably increase. Reuters reported, referring to ANA, which operates Portuguese airports. The strike will also affect the connection with Prague.
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A spokesman for the union that called the strike told Lusa that about 100 percent of Groundforce’s check-in staff took part in the strike today, the busiest day. The striking staff are demanding that the handling company, which is in serious financial difficulties as a result of the covidu-19 pandemic, pay salaries and this year’s leave immediately.
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The strike had a major impact on the Portuguese flagship company TAP, which uses Groundforce check-in services, but did not affect low-cost airlines. Today he did not fly one flight from Prague (TP 1243) and one to it (TP 1246). On Sunday, according to the airport’s website, two flights to Prague (TP 1242 and TP 1246) and two flights from it (TP 1247, TP 1243) are canceled.
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The strike reduced traffic mainly at Lisbon airport and did not affect the remaining nine Portuguese airports, ANA chief Thierry Ligonnière told reporters. “We are counting on problems for tomorrow (Sunday), from Monday the situation will return to normal,” he added.
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Groundforce is owned by the Portuguese company Pasogal (50.1 percent) and the TAP-Air Portugal group (49.9 percent), in which the Portuguese state holds a 72.5 stake. TAP offered to lend money needed to allow Groundforce to pay its employees holiday pay, but the handling company rejected the proposal.
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