The effects of the second day of the strike by SEF were more visible on 15 August at Lisbon airport, according to information provided to Lusa by ANA.

With a two-hour stoppage, "the waiting time at the border control at Lisbon airport increased, reaching four hours", said ANA.

“In order to control flows and avoid the greater crowding of passengers, the airport has always stopped the disembarkation of some flights when necessary” and “ANA's teams were strengthened to provide support to passengers”, adds that entity.

Participation in the protest was “100 percent both at Lisbon and Ponta Delgada airports”, according to information given to Lusa by the president of the Union of Investigation, Inspection and Borders Inspectors (SIIFF), Renato Mendonça.

The strike was called by SIIFF due to the lack of response from the Government regarding the future of the inspectors following the approval of the bill that "provides for the dispersion of police powers of SEF by the PJ, PSP and GNR".

“The participation of everyone shows the spirit of unity and demonstrates the concern with which everyone is faced with the lack of response from the Ministry of Internal Administration regarding the future of these employees”, warned Renato Mendonça.

The strike did include the participation of the Union of Investigation and Inspection Career of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SCIF/SEF).

The protest began on Saturday and partially covers all employees who work at the country's main border posts.

Until the end of August, protests will take place at Portuguese airports, but also at the ports of Sines and Leixões.

The union president recalled that the minister promised that by the end of June he would present a document with "the terms under which the rights of inspectors were ensured", but so far "such a document has not yet reached the union".

On ANA's official website, this organisation warns passengers that due to the strike, scheduled for 14 August to 31 August, "high waiting times are to be expected at the border control at Lisbon airports (05:00 to 09:00) Porto (20:00 to 23:00), Faro (9:00-12:00), Funchal and Porto Santo (10:00-13:00) and Ponta Delgada (6:00-08:00)".

For this reason, ANA recommends passengers travelling to countries outside the Schengen area to arrive earlier for boarding.