Emirates Suspends All Lisbon Flights as General Strike Disrupts Travel Across Portugal: All You Need To Know

Published on December 11, 2025

Portugal is experiencing a general strike today after 12 years. Emirates cancels all Lisbon services today as Portugal’s strike disrupts core transport systems and reduces staffing across airports, rail lines, and city networks. The halt in operations affects travellers relying on stable travel connections during a busy period, while widespread participation from aviation teams intensifies delays across the country. The disruption places added pressure on tourism, as visitors face rerouting, extended waits, and reduced mobility throughout the day.

• Updated Today: Emirates suspends all scheduled flights between Dubai and Lisbon.
• Four Emirates flights are cancelled: EK191, EK193, EK192, and EK194.
• Passengers connecting through Dubai on EK191 and EK193 are not accepted for travel.
• Air travel, rail services, and urban transport face major staffing shortages.
• Aviation unions and cabin crew from several airlines join the strike.
• Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport has no Emirates operations for the entire day.
• Passengers with direct Emirates bookings must contact customer service for alternatives.
• Travellers using travel agencies must coordinate changes through their agents.
• Ports, buses, and schools across Portugal see suspended or reduced operations.

Emirates Cancels All Lisbon Flights for the Day

Emirates suspends all scheduled flights between Dubai and Lisbon on December 11. The airline halts operations on four flights in total. EK191 and EK193 from Dubai to Lisbon are cancelled. EK192 and EK194 from Lisbon to Dubai are also cancelled.
Passengers attempting to use Dubai as a connecting point for EK191 and EK193 are not accepted for travel at their departure airports. This prevents further disruptions downstream and protects operational flow.
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport sees no Emirates activity throughout the day. Passengers with direct bookings are instructed to contact Emirates support services for assistance.
The airline works with airport partners to stabilise operations once the strike ends. Recovery is expected to require coordinated scheduling as backlogs settle.

Tourism Struggles Amid Widespread Service Interruptions

Tourists visiting Portugal today face increased uncertainty as transport networks slow or stop. Many depend on predictable movement between attractions, accommodations, and airports. The strike reduces this predictability and forces sudden adjustments.
Flight cancellations disrupt long-planned itineraries. Visitors who expected smooth transfers now manage extended delays or seek alternative travel paths.
Reduced public transport services make local exploration more difficult. Buses pause operations. Ports halt activities. Urban transit networks run with limited capacity or not at all. This affects sightseeing plans and scheduled activities across the day.
Tourists unfamiliar with local systems experience added stress as timetables change without much notice.

Plans built around punctual movement must be reworked quickly.
Accommodations experience pressure as guests request longer stays due to cancelled flights or revised itineraries. Tourism providers face increased service demands as travellers seek guidance and logistical support.
These conditions highlight how tourism becomes extremely sensitive to workforce actions. Visitor movement depends on stable flights, functional city routes, and reliable public networks. When these systems pause, travel experiences shift rapidly and require constant adjustment.
The impact intensifies during peak travel periods, when travellers expect consistent transport options and smooth movement across key points of interest.

Aviation Operations Face Significant Strain

Aviation unions join the national action, including groups representing thousands of crew members at a major Portuguese airline. Cabin crew from other airlines operating in the country also participate.
This involvement limits staffing across essential aviation functions. Ground handling teams are reduced. Air traffic operations slow due to decreased personnel. These gaps force airlines to revise schedules and cancel flights before greater disruptions occur.

Airports operate with limited capacity across check-in desks, baggage services, and boarding functions. Reduced teams also affect coordination between departments.
The national strike extends beyond airports. Ports stop operations. Schools close. City transport networks shut down or operate with minimal staff. The combined effects create movement challenges across Portugal throughout the day.
Travellers navigating these conditions face unpredictable schedules and extended wait times.

Travellers Manage a Day of Adjustments

Visitors already in Portugal or travelling today must closely monitor updates from airlines and local operators.
The nationwide strike creates immediate complications for planned movements. Many travellers modify routes, delay departures, or adjust accommodation arrangements as they wait for services to resume.
Recovery is expected after the strike concludes, but normalisation may take time. Schedules must be reorganised, and backlogs may create slower processing across multiple networks.
Travellers are encouraged to anticipate gradual stabilisation rather than immediate resolution as the country works through the day’s disruptions.

Image Source: AI