Portugal approves the construction of Luís de Camões Airport in Lisbon

06-02-25

The Portuguese government has given the green light to the construction of Luís de Camões Airport in Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, east of Lisbon, with the aim of replacing the existing Humberto Delgado Airport and meeting the growing demand for air traffic in the region. This project, which involves an estimated investment of 9 billion euros, is part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the country's transport infrastructure.

The new airport will initially have two runways, with a capacity of between 90 and 95 movements per hour, and the possibility of expanding to four runways in the future. It is expected to handle passenger traffic in excess of 100 million by 2050, surpassing the maximum capacity of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, which is 70 million passengers.

The choice of Alcochete as a site is due to several advantages, including its location on public land, which avoids the need for expropriation, and its proximity to the center of Lisbon and the main railways, which reduces travel costs and times. In addition, this location allows for considerable physical expansion to meet future demand and mitigates the environmental and social impact on the Lisbon region, as it is located in an area of low population density.

While construction of the new airport is underway, the existing Humberto Delgado Airport will continue to operate and undergo improvements to increase its capacity to 45 movements per hour. These investments are necessary to address current congestion, as the airport has been operating above the International Civil Aviation Organization's recommended limits since 2018.

The new airport project is complemented by other infrastructure initiatives, such as the construction of a third crossing over the Tagus River, which will improve connectivity between the airport and downtown Lisbon, and the implementation of a high-speed rail connection between Lisbon and Madrid, with the goal of reducing travel time between the two capitals to less than three hours by 2034.

These strategic decisions seek not only to improve the country's transport infrastructure, but also to stimulate the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy, attract investment and promote territorial cohesion. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has stressed that these decisions, although quick, have been carefully considered and based on technical assessments, and that they are essential to ensure Portugal's sustainable development and economic growth in the coming decades.

The Portuguese government has asked ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal, the country's airport concessionaire, to prepare a formal proposal for the construction and management of the new airport at Alcochete. This proposal should include a financing plan that does not require a direct contribution from the State Budget, and meet the requirements set by the Government, such as reducing the total cost of the project, fully complying with environmental legislation and reducing the duration of construction, which is currently expected to take six years.

Luís de Camões Airport is designed to become an important aviation hub in Europe, strengthening Portugal's position on the international aviation map and providing a modern and efficient infrastructure that will meet the needs of passengers and airlines for decades to come. With its capacity for expansion and its integration with other transport infrastructures, the new airport is set to play a key role in the economic and social development of the Lisbon region and the country as a whole.

In addition to improving air connectivity, the new airport project and associated infrastructure will contribute to job creation and the development of new business opportunities in sectors such as tourism, logistics and trade. The construction of the airport and complementary infrastructure will also drive investment in technology and sustainability, ensuring that Portugal is at the forefront of global trends in transportation and urban development.

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