ANA is trying to reduce waiting times due to the strike at Faro airport

The lack of elements from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) led to waits that exceeded two hours and caused the loss of some flights to passengers who intended to board at Gago Coutinho international airport, in Faro, especially during the morning, but “the situation is improving” and tends to normalize, ANA assured the Lusa agency.

The most affected passengers were those who had as their origin and destination the United Kingdom, whose exit from the EU now requires documental control on departures and arrivals, contrary to what happens with destinations that are part of the Schengen community area, clarified the Portuguese airport management company.

“Due to the civil service strike, there were high waiting times today at the border control at Gago Coutinho Airport, exceeding two hours in the morning. This situation caused, in addition to the discomfort for the affected passengers, the loss of some flights. The situation is improving and it is expected that it will continue”, informed ANA.

The same source clarified that the airport teams were mobilized to provide support to passengers and reduce the discomfort caused by long waiting times, such as the supply of water or assistance to passengers with greater mobility difficulties.

“The teams are in permanent contact with the competent authorities and airlines”, the company also said, stressing that this situation was exclusive to Faro and was not registered in any other national airport.

The national strike in the civil service this morning caused delays in border control at Faro airport, which is being ensured by minimum services, a source from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) told Lusa.

The source said that the border control at the airport is working with six SEF inspectors per shift instead of the usual nine and that the waiting time doubled during the morning, when more flights from the United Kingdom arrived.

According to the source, the strike did not cause disturbances in border controls at other airports or in other SEF services.

At SEF, the stoppage had, during the morning, until 13:00, a participation of 70 inspectors, out of a universe of 900, and 106 employees of the general career regime, out of a total of 600.

Public administration workers are today on a national strike for immediate wage increases.