Those affected by flight delays and cancellations at Portuguese airports, caused by strikes by employees of Menzies, formerly Groundforce, may be entitled to compensation for lost baggage, as well as access to basic assistance and free rebooking. This is because, even during extraordinary events such as a strike, airlines have obligations to their customers.

Anton Radchenko, an aviation lawyer and CEO of AirAdvisor, a global consumer rights platform for air services, explains that European law does not provide for compensation for flight delays or cancellations during this type of situation. However, he emphasizes that airlines are required to ensure passengers receive assistance in rebooking their flight and cover meals and hotel accommodations, when necessary.

The strike was called by the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) and the Transport Union (ST), and the strikes are divided into five phases. The first two took place between July 25th and 28th and August 8th and 11th, with three more scheduled until September 1st. Workers are demanding better wages, an end to base salaries below the national minimum wage, compliance with night shift pay, and continued access to the parking lot under the previous terms and conditions.

The CEO of AirAdvisor also advises passengers to keep all travel-related documents. "Passengers need to have boarding passes, delay notifications, and any expense receipts. These records can support a later claim if the disruption is not handled properly by the airline." In cases of flight cancellation, Anton Radchenko advises passengers not to wait in line, but to go directly to their airline's counter or contact them online to request a rebooking and support. "Acting quickly increases the chances of finding alternative travel options," he adds.

Compensation for Lost Baggage

During airport employee strikes, such as those occurring in Portugal, if there is a delay in delivery or loss of baggage, airlines are also required to compensate the passenger. AirAdvisor's CEO says the rule is set out in Article 19 of the Montreal Convention, which states that the carrier is liable for damages caused by delays in the carriage of passengers or baggage unless it can prove it took all reasonable measures to avoid the interruption. "A disruption does not normally fall under this exemption, and therefore, passengers are entitled to claim compensation for lost baggage."

To simplify the process of claiming compensation for baggage lost during flights, AirAdvisor has launched a dedicated online tool for this type of claim. It allows you to assess the eligibility of your claim and automatically calculate the compensation amount based on each flight and the airline's requirements. To facilitate access to legal information, Anton Radchencko has also made available a free guide on how to claim this type of compensation (https://airadvisor.com/pt/indemnizacao-bagagem-atrasada-perdida-danificada).

The CEO of AirAdvisor notes that the amount of compensation each passenger may be entitled to for losses caused by lost baggage varies depending on the country and applicable legislation. For those traveling through the United Kingdom or European Union countries, compensation can reach up to €1,920.00 when baggage is lost or delayed.