The airline confirmed that four services—EK191 and EK193 from Dubai to Lisbon, along with the return flights EK192 and EK194—will not operate. Passengers connecting through Dubai were also advised that travellers booked on the affected Lisbon services will not be accepted at their departure airports.
In guidance to customers, Emirates encouraged those who purchased tickets directly through the airline to contact its customer service team for assistance with rebooking. Travellers who secured their journeys via third-party agents were told to coordinate with their agencies for alternative arrangements. The carrier expressed regret for the disruption, noting that staff are working to support passengers whose plans have been thrown off course.
Growing Tensions Over Labour Reforms
The flight cancellations come as Portugal faces its first general strike in more than a decade. The country’s two largest labour confederations, CGTP and UGT, have called for widespread participation in protest of proposed labour reforms put forward by the minority right-wing government.
At the heart of the dispute are plans to make dismissals easier, extend the use of fixed-term contracts, and broaden the definition of “essential services” during industrial action—a move unions fear would weaken worker protections and collective bargaining power.
Participation is expected across large swathes of public services, from educators and healthcare professionals to public transport operators. The anticipated shutdown of urban transit, rail links and aviation services is likely to cause significant delays and cancellations throughout the day.
Impact on Aviation
The aviation sector is preparing for particularly heavy disruption. SNPVAC, the civil aviation union representing thousands of cabin crew at TAP Air Portugal as well as staff at easyJet, Ryanair and Azores Airlines, is joining the protest. As a result, major hubs including Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport may see substantial operational challenges, adding pressure to airlines attempting to maintain limited service.
Travellers Encouraged to Monitor Updates
Given the scale of the strike and its ripple effects, Emirates is urging passengers to ensure their contact details are current via the airline’s Manage Your Booking platform. This will allow travellers to receive real-time updates on rebooking options and operational changes. The carrier says it is coordinating with partners and local authorities in an effort to minimise disruption and resume normal service once the nationwide walkout concludes.