According to the newspapers Público and ECO, the decision requires 100% of flights to mainland and islands and 35% to be international flights.

The strike called by the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) and the Transport Union (STA) covers several periods between midnight on September 3rd (next Wednesday) and midnight on January 2nd, for a total of 76 days.

Friday's ruling, approved unanimously, determines "the provision of all ground handling services for each day of the strike during the entire strike period declared by SIMA and ST for daily flights operated by airlines assisted by SPdH, ensuring 100% of services to and from the mainland and autonomous regions and 35% of other destinations."

The ruling, cited by the newspapers, highlights "the prolonged nature of the strike, lasting four months, taking place around weekends, which creates additional difficulties due to the nature of air travel at that time of the week. It also includes three strike periods lasting more than six consecutive days, notably the 15 consecutive days of strike during the Christmas and New Year period."

The Superior Court of Appeals issued a strike notice, accusing SPdH/Menzies and TAP management of continuing to "ignore the real problems of workers by subjecting them to poverty wages and failing to pay outstanding compensation."

In mid-August, SIMA announced the scheduling of new strikes by workers at the company responsible for on-call services, alternating between September 3rd and January 2nd, 2026, including long weekends and busy dates such as Christmas and New Year's.

Among the demands, the union is demanding an end to basic wages below the national minimum wage, payment for night shifts, the maintenance of rights such as access to parking, and compliance with the previously signed memorandum of understanding.

This new advance notice from SIMA follows strikes held in July and August and the suspension of work stoppages scheduled for the end of August, following contacts with the Ministry of Labor.

Menzies, for its part, assured that the cancellation of the latest strikes "was not the result of any agreement, negotiation, or concession," guaranteeing that its position "remains unchanged" and that there were no changes to the commitments made until 2029.

When will the strikes take place?

The first strike will take place from midnight on September 3rd until midnight on September 9th, followed by another strike from September 12th to 15th, from September 19th to 22nd, and from September 26th to 28th.

In October, strikes are scheduled from November 3rd to 6th, 10th to 13th, 17th to 20th, 24th to 27th, and 31st to 3rd. More shutdowns will follow from November 7 to 10, November 14 to 17, November 21 to 24, December 28 to 1, December 5 to 8, and December 12 to 15.

The final shutdown is scheduled from December 19 to January 2, 2026.