Under the ruling, all flights scheduled to and from the Azores archipelago and three flights from Lisbon to Funchal on each strike day, as well as three flights per day from Funchal to Lisbon must be assured.
One flight to and one flight from Angola, three to and three from Mozambique, two to and two from Brazil, and one to and from each of France, Luxembourg, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Italy must also be assured - largely because of the significant Portuguese communities in all these countries.
According to the tribunal, the ruling took into account circumstances including the relatively long period covered by the strike, the fact that at the start of May there is an uptick in demand for air transport, and the fact that large crowds of would-be passengers gathering in airport could raise security issues.
TAP and Portugália pilots called the strike because, they say, the government is not keeping to a deal reached in December regarding payments for seniority, and another from 1999 that gave pilots the right to shares as part of any privatisation of the company - a move that is currently planned.
I wish TAP and Portugal good luck. I am glad they are in the luxury position to negotiate and disrupt the business as well as the country. Most people are not in a luxury position like that. I booked a flight on TAP and looking forward to structural alternatives.
By Paul from USA on 28 Apr 2015, 18:20
Fortunately for me, I can cancel my hotel reservation for a week in Lisbon. Also, I will call TAP to give my money back. And search for a more friendly tourist destination. John
By John from Other on 28 Apr 2015, 19:42
I've booked on eBookers
Can't change from TAP to SWISS!
Never buy e packages again, Hotel, flight, rental car!
By Snah from Other on 29 Apr 2015, 07:37
Good luck with calling TAP I have been trying for 3 days in order to have a refund and hence make alternative arrangements. You just get disconnected and there is no e-mail address. Upshot holiday ruined by TAP
By Allan from Other on 29 Apr 2015, 08:51
I am TAP GOLD and feel disgusted by this strike. The pilots have cushy lives and to call a strike of this dimension is selfish and anti-Portugal. It gives a bad reputation to the country that is trying so hard to revive. Where is the sense of NOS? All they want is their pensions and good salaries and families flying free in Business Class.
By Patricia West from Lisbon on 29 Apr 2015, 09:23
I am in Lisbon right now, have no alternative but to fly on the 1st of may. I booked a TAP flight for that day to the Netherlands. This seems not among the destinations covered by the 'skeleton service' to be maintained (court decision). So I hope and pray I'll be able to get back. I just heard about this today, I wasn't informed by TAP about this, nor my travel agent.
By Erik from Lisbon on 30 Apr 2015, 06:24
I trust you have all see TAP have not cancelled ANY flights, they will review if they have pilots available. This is outrageous, you only get a refund of money if flight is cancelled, or now take a voucher or book another flight after the strike. Criminal.
How can they expect thousands of people wait around just on the off chance a couple, of pilots happen to turn up and decide to fly your plane.
We should all boycott Portugal and let sink with no European bail out money. And blame the few hundred stupid pilots.
By martin page from UK on 30 Apr 2015, 09:14