After many years of anticipation and debate, the project for a new Lisbon airport has finally been confirmed. The decision to build this long-awaited airport has been taken, and it will be located in Alcochete, around 40 kilometres from the Portuguese capital. This announcement marks a decisive turning point for Portugal in its drive to modernise and improve its airport infrastructure.
Why was Alcochete chosen for the airport?
The choice of Alcochete as the site for the new airport is not insignificant. Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has explained that this decision provides sufficient room for expansion to meet demand that is three times greater than current capacity. The new airport, named Luis Camões, will be built on the military zone of the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, offering considerable space for future expansion.
Alcochete offers a number of strategic advantages. Located at a reasonable distance from Lisbon, it avoids the constraints and nuisances associated with a city-centre airport. What’s more, the space available makes it possible to build a modern infrastructure capable of meeting the future needs of air transport.
Construction of the airport: the next stages
ANA, the concession holder for Portugal’s airports, now has three years to present the construction project. The estimated cost of the new infrastructure is between 6 and 8 billion euros. Although the start date for the works has not yet been set, this planning phase will be crucial to ensure that all the technical, environmental and logistical requirements are met.
This ambitious project requires precise coordination and considerable resources. The Portuguese authorities remain optimistic that the airport will have a positive impact on the national economy and the tourism sector in Lisbon.
The future of Humberto Delgado airport
Pending the opening of the new airport, measures will be taken to increase the capacity of the current airport, Humberto Delgado. At present, this airport can handle 33.6 million passengers a year. Improvements will enable this capacity to be increased to 40 or 45 million passengers. In addition, private flights will be transferred to Cascais airport to free up more capacity for commercial flights.
It is planned that the new Luis Camões airport and Humberto Delgado airport will operate in parallel for a few years. This transition period will allow a gradual transfer of operations and ensure that all services are running at optimum levels before Humberto Delgado airport closes for good.
A vision for the future
The confirmation of the construction of the new Lisbon airport at Alcochete is a necessary response to the growing need for air transport. This project represents an opportunity to stimulate the economy and strengthen Portugal’s role as a major hub in Europe. By increasing passenger capacity and modernising infrastructure, Portugal is preparing to meet the future challenges of the aviation sector.
This decision reflects a long-term strategic vision aimed at supporting sustainable growth and strengthening the country’s infrastructure. The new Luis Camões airport is a symbol of modernity and innovation, promising to propel Portugal to new heights in the years to come.
