Portugal's Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, unveiled on Wednesday, 22 July, the government's new airport strategy for the Lisbon region, declaring that the construction of a second airport had moved "from the decision-making phase to the implementation phase". "We dreamed of a new airport for 50 years, and today we are making it happen", he said.
The new Luís de Camões Airport, to be built at the Alcochete military firing range on the south bank of the Tagus, is expected to cost between €7.9 billion and €8.9 billion and is scheduled to open in 2035.
The investment estimate is based on 2024 prices, meaning the final cost is likely to be higher. The revised range of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal's preliminary 2025 estimate put the project's cost at €8.5 billion.
According to the government's timetable, construction is due to begin in 2029 and be completed by 2033. Following testing and certification, the airport is expected to become operational in 2035, bringing forward the previous target date of mid-2037.
Speaking at Lisbon's Belém Cultural Centre, Pinto Luz said Portugal was investing "more than €400 million in today's airports and tomorrow's Luís de Camões Airport", adding that the strategy aims to prepare the capital to handle up to 40 million passengers annually.
Alongside the construction of the new airport at Alcochete, the plan includes a series of measures to expand the capacity of Lisbon's existing Humberto Delgado Airport until the new facility opens, improve road and rail links, and carry out the phased demilitarisation of the Alcochete site.
One of the key initiatives is the approval of a new masterplan for Humberto Delgado Airport, enabling capacity to increase gradually to 40 aircraft movements per hour by 2029 and 42 by 2031, with a longer-term target of 45 movements per hour, subject to environmental approval.
The government also intends to relocate all operations from Air Base No. 6 to nearby Montijo by the end of 2028, as part of a €30 million investment to strengthen the military facility while freeing up space at Lisbon's existing airport. At the same time, negotiations are under way to incorporate Air Terminal 1 into the airport concession.
Optimising Lisbon's airspace is another priority. The government plans to introduce new approach and departure routes, a measure it says has already reduced air traffic control-related delays by more than 50% and is expected to lower aircraft noise exposure for around 30,000 residents. A new air traffic control tower is also planned and is due to enter service by 2029.
For the future Luís de Camões Airport, the government aims to complete the demilitarisation of the site by 2029, while developing the supporting infrastructure, including water, electricity, fuel supply and telecommunications.
The project also includes major new rail and road connections. Ministers say the airport will be linked to central Lisbon by high-speed rail in around 20 minutes, while a new road network comprising more than 250 kilometres of highways and connecting roads will serve the site.
This news comes just weeks after Lisbon Airport bosses and Government officials faced flak from the public over severe congestion, with passengers regularly enduring long queues at security, passport control, and baggage reclaim. The problems have been exacerbated by record passenger numbers and the physical constraints of Humberto Delgado Airport, which has long been operating beyond the capacity for which it was designed. Travellers have increasingly reported missing flights after waiting hours to clear security, while arriving passengers have also experienced lengthy delays at border control and baggage collection.
Ministers argue that only the construction of the new Luís de Camões Airport at Alcochete will provide a lasting solution. Until then, Lisbon Airport is expected to remain under significant strain as passenger demand continues to outrun the capacity of Portugal's busiest flight hub.
Source: JN
Photo credit: Euronews
