Etihad Airways scrapped flights EY099 and EY100 between Abu Dhabi and Lisbon on 11 December after a nationwide strike paralysed Portuguese airports. The industrial action forced closure of ground-handling operations, prompting Etihad to apologise and offer rebooking or refunds.
While origin of the disruption lay in Europe, the knock-on effect highlights the exposure of UAE-based assignees and holidaymakers to labour unrest in destination markets. Mobility planners with year-end travel to Portugal or onward Schengen points should monitor developments and verify whether alternative routings trigger additional transit-visa requirements.
![Etihad cancels Abu Dhabi–Lisbon service as Portuguese airport strike hits UAE travellers]()
For travellers suddenly rerouted through new hubs, VisaHQ can quickly clarify whether extra transit or entry papers are needed and arrange them online. UAE residents can check requirements and submit applications via https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/, helping avoid delays when flights change at short notice.
Etihad’s customer-relations team urged passengers to update contact details and use the carrier’s app for automated rebooking. Travel consultants recommend that employers remind staff to keep their UAE residence permits valid for at least six months, as some airlines decline carriage on replacement tickets if residency documents are close to expiry.
The episode comes amid record outbound demand from the UAE to Europe for the festive period. Airlines have built contingency plans that include wet-leasing additional capacity and partnering with codeshare allies, but seat availability remains tight.
While origin of the disruption lay in Europe, the knock-on effect highlights the exposure of UAE-based assignees and holidaymakers to labour unrest in destination markets. Mobility planners with year-end travel to Portugal or onward Schengen points should monitor developments and verify whether alternative routings trigger additional transit-visa requirements.
For travellers suddenly rerouted through new hubs, VisaHQ can quickly clarify whether extra transit or entry papers are needed and arrange them online. UAE residents can check requirements and submit applications via https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/, helping avoid delays when flights change at short notice.
Etihad’s customer-relations team urged passengers to update contact details and use the carrier’s app for automated rebooking. Travel consultants recommend that employers remind staff to keep their UAE residence permits valid for at least six months, as some airlines decline carriage on replacement tickets if residency documents are close to expiry.
The episode comes amid record outbound demand from the UAE to Europe for the festive period. Airlines have built contingency plans that include wet-leasing additional capacity and partnering with codeshare allies, but seat availability remains tight.
