BRITISH tourists heading to Portugal could find their flights diverted or even cancelled due to a shortage of fuel at local airports.
Strike action by truck drivers in the country mean supplies are running low, and some Ryanair and easyJet flights are already being forced to land at a different airport or make an unscheduled stopover.
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Fuel truck drivers started a strike on Monday to demand better workers’ rights, but they are guaranteeing the operation of minimum services.
However, according to the government, the minimum service has not been provided.
In Faro, one of the country’s biggest tourist hubs, the airport resorted to emergency fuel reserves.
Lisbon airport has also been affected.
Economy Minister Pedro Siza Vieira told reporters: “At both airports, where fuel supply wasn’t ensured, we have reached critical levels of fuel reserves for aircraft refuelling.”
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Only one flight has been cancelled but, according to the minister, but there could be more cancellations if supplies are not resumed.
Air traffic controllers said on Twitter that a Ryanair flight had to stop in Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain to refuel before heading back to Lisbon.
A passenger wrote on Twitter: “@Ryanair flight in Portugal has limited fuel. Off to Santiago #Spain to fuel up then off to #london…”
He later remarked: “Not going anywhere now! No fuel to get to Spain either.”
Portugal’s national airline TAP has a contingency plan to reduce the impact of the ongoing strike.
Airport authority ANA is monitoring the situation and has asked passengers travelling from Lisbon or Faro to check their flight status with airlines.
Confused passengers on social media have been left worrying about their flights and whether they will be impacted.
Twitter user Kim Baker asked: “@easyJet just found out about fuel shortages in Portugal and I am flying easyjet to Lisbon tomorrow. Any impact on your flight schedule?”
EasyJet replied explaining the flight would be diverted to Porto Airport instead.
Another asked: “@Ryanair Hearing reports that Faro airport is out of fuel due to a strike in Portugal. Flying back home to MAN on Friday.
“Can you fly MAN-FAO-MAN without refuelling, or should I expect trouble?”
The UK Foreign Office has warned: “Strike action by Portuguese fuel tanker drivers since 16 April may cause disruption to flights at Lisbon and Faro airports.
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“If you’re travelling from Lisbon or Faro airport over the coming days, check with your airline for possible delays. Travel within Portugal may also be affected by the strike.”
Alongside oil companies, Portugal’s government and security forces are planning to send dozens of tanker trucks to Lisbon to supply the capital’s airport with fuel.
The government said in a statement that the strike was also affecting fire stations, ports, public transport companies and gas stations.
The National Union of Dangerous Goods Drivers said the strike will continue until their demands are met.
An easyJet spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “Due to strike action in Portugal affecting fuel availability easyJet, like all airlines, is experiencing some disruption to its flying programme today and four flights between the UK and Portugal will be required to make fuel stops on route.
“We are doing everything possible to minimise the disruption for our customers and whilst this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience experienced as a result of the strike action.
“We advise all customers due to travel to or from Portugal to check the status of their flights on our Flight Tracker for the latest information.”
Brits heading to Spain over the Easter weekend will also face disruptions because of nationwide strikes.
More than 60,000 ground handling staff are to walk out, affecting airports, while train staff are also going on strike.
Last month, Eurostar travellers were affected by French union strikes, with delays and long queues still taking place.
Sun Online Travel has contacted Ryanair for comment.
