Air passengers affected by the strike by Menzies workers, formerly Groundforce, which is causing numerous flight delays and cancellations at Portuguese airports, can request financial compensation in cases of lost baggage, as well as rebooking their tickets and access to basic assistance during waiting times.

Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor, a global air passenger rights platform, warns that, even during strikes, airlines have obligations to their customers. "The law does not provide for compensation for flight delays or cancellations, but in these extraordinary cases, airlines are responsible for ensuring that travellers receive assistance with rebooking their tickets and covering meals or hotel accommodations, when necessary.

"Passengers are also entitled to flight refunds or rebookings, as well as basic assistance," says the CEO of AirAdvisor, who also advises travellers to keep all travel-related documents. Passengers should have boarding passes, delay notifications, and any expense receipts. "These records can support a later claim if the disruption is not handled appropriately by the airline."

If a flight is cancelled, he advises passengers not to wait in line, but to go directly to their airline's counter or contact them online to request a rebooking or assistance. "Acting quickly increases the chances of finding alternative travel options," adds Radchenko.

He also states that, in these times, knowing air passenger rights makes all the difference. To assist travellers, AirAdvisor has developed a free calculator to check whether flight disruptions are eligible for compensation, which can be accessed online (https://airadvisor.com/pt/calculadora-de-compensacao-por-voos).

Lost Baggage Compensation

Airlines are also required to cover lost baggage during airport staff strikes. This rule is set out in Article 19 of EU Regulation 261 and establishes that the carrier is liable for damages caused by delays in the carriage of passengers or baggage unless it can prove that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the disruption. "A strike does not normally fall under this exemption, and passengers are entitled to claim compensation in cases of lost baggage."

To simplify the process of claiming compensation for lost baggage during flights, AirAdvisor has launched an online tool for this type of claim, available at https://airadvisor.com/pt/baggage-claim/step1. According to Anton Radchenko, the service allows travellers to assess their claim eligibility and automatically calculate the compensation amount based on the flight, destination, and airline requirements.

AirAdvisor's CEO states that the compensation amounts each passenger is entitled to for losses caused by lost baggage vary by country and applicable law. Those travelling through the United Kingdom or European Union countries may be entitled to compensation of up to €1,920.00.