Month: August 2024

Portugal is experiencing a severe heatwave, which is expected to last until at least August 17. With temperatures likely reaching 41°C (106°F) on mainland Portugal and 25-39°C (77-102°F) in coastal and island regions, the excessive heat is exacerbating the existing issues of wildfires and transportation disruptions.

Extended heatwave with regional warnings

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued high-temperature warnings in several regions. From August 16 to 17, orange warnings will be in effect for the Beja, Evora, and Portalegre districts, as well as the mountainous and southern parts of Madeira.

Yellow warnings extend to Castelo Branco, Faro, and the northern coast of Madeira, with additional alerts issued in Braga, Coimbra, Leiria, Lisbon, Santarém, Setúbal, and the Azores until mid-August. These warnings indicate that the continuous and oppressive heat would certainly exacerbate current difficulties.

Wildfires and travel chaos

The high heat has played a crucial role in Madeira’s wildfire catastrophe. More than 5,000 hectares of woodland have been devastated by flames fuelled by high temperatures and strong winds. The scenario has necessitated the evacuation of hundreds of inhabitants and tourists.

Cristiano Ronaldo Airport in Madeira has been badly hit, with over 80 flights cancelled due to strong weather. The airport has become a makeshift dormitory for stranded travellers, including over 500 Poles, many of whom are experiencing uncomfortable conditions and a lack of assistance from airport personnel.

Health risks and infrastructure impacts

The prolonged heatwave poses major health concerns, particularly to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures raises the risk of heat stroke and exhaustion.

The heatwave also disrupts daily life and infrastructure: railway rails may buckle, resulting in train delays, while road surfaces and automobiles may be damaged. High temperatures could boost electricity demand, potentially resulting in localised brownouts or blackouts.

Emergency response and ongoing challenges

Authorities are actively monitoring the situation and may issue further alerts or amend existing warnings should situations change. Emergency services continue to battle the wildfires, with expert personnel from mainland Portugal assisting with containment efforts. Travellers and residents are encouraged to take the appropriate steps to cope with the heat and stay safe during this extended period of harsh weather.

EasyJet has cancelled 232 flights to and from Portugal due to a three-day strike by the country’s cabin crew. The strike, which has left many travellers scrambling to rearrange their plans, has particularly impacted those planning summer holidays in Portugal.

Passengers have been urged to check their flight status and consider alternative arrangements as the disruption is expected to last through August 17. The strike, organized by Portugal’s National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Staff (SNPVAC), began on August 15 and is expected to cause significant disruption for British holidaymakers through August 17.

Major disruptions for UK travellers

The impacted flights connect major UK airports such as Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, London Gatwick, and Luton to significant locations in Portugal such as Lisbon, Porto, and Faro on the Algarve coast. EasyJet has scheduled 1,138 flights during the strike, but just 62% of them will go as planned.

To lessen the impact, EasyJet recommends that passengers use the airline’s online Flight Tracker to verify the status of their flights. Passengers affected by cancellations were advised in advance and given the option of rebooking or receiving a refund.

Underlying dispute and the union’s stance

The strike is over working conditions and wages for cabin crew members. SNPVAC has criticised EasyJet for rejecting prior suggestions to avoid industrial action and has sought more bonuses and better working conditions. The union raised concerns about extended working hours and staff shortages, which they believe have harmed working conditions.

Ricardo Penarroias, president of SNPVAC, expressed dissatisfaction with EasyJet’s response and urged the airline to develop measures to prevent such interruptions. The union urged the airline to adopt ‘common sense’ and meet the fair expectations of its employees rather than cancel flights.

EasyJet’s response

A representative for EasyJet expressed unhappiness with the walkout, calling it “unnecessary” and sad during a vital travel period. The representative highlighted that the airline’s top focus has been minimising passenger disruption by preemptively cancelling some flights, allowing affected customers to change their travel plans. Despite these efforts, the strike continues to be a major inconvenience.

As the strike proceeds, passengers are reminded to keep track of their flight status and plan for unexpected delays or cancellations. The situation is still fluid, with no immediate settlement in sight.