Ground handling staff at London Gatwick Airport have officially confirmed a strike between 18 and 22 April, which is expected to have a strong impact on TAP's operations, as Red Handling is the company that is “at the centre of the dispute”, and is also responsible for providing essential ground services to the national airline's operations at this airport in the British capital.

According to AirAdvisor, a company specialising in air passenger protection, “TAP flights between London Gatwick and the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto are expected to experience significant disruption during the strike period, with around 30 to 40 flights likely to be affected.”

“This could impact between 4,500 and 6,000 passengers during the five-day strike,” adds AirAdvisor, noting that the strike essentially affects Red Handling, which is the company that provides check-in, baggage handling and flight dispatch services for TAP at Gatwick Airport.

Anton Radchenko, CEO of AirAdvisor, warns that this “confirmed strike may catch many travelers off guard due to low publicity,” therefore advising passengers to start preparing now to “minimise the impact on their travel plans.”

“Gatwick is a major hub for Portuguese travellers arriving and departing from the UK, particularly over the Easter weekend when many people travel to visit family or take short breaks. This strike, if not managed properly by the airlines, could cause serious disruption to passengers on both sides,” the official said.

The CEO of Air Advisor advises passengers with flights on these dates to check the status of their connections in advance, arriving at the airport as early as possible, and also to have “a flexible plan in case of delays or cancellations”.

“Airlines are responsible for ensuring that their passengers are taken care of during disruptions — even when the cause is third-party,” Radchenko adds, noting that if a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, “the airline must provide timely rebooking, meals or hotel accommodation when necessary.”

In the event of a strike, the official adds, “it is highly unlikely that there will be compensation”, even though passengers are “entitled to a refund or rebooking, as well as assistance”.