Portugal demands revised traffic and runway plans for new Lisbon airport

Government queries on demand and design

The Portuguese government, acting through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing, sent formal feedback to airport concessionaire ANA regarding technical documentation for the New Lisbon Airport. The submission followed ANA's delivery of the technical report on 16 July 2026. Although the concession contract does not require a formal executive determination on intermediate reports, the government chose to outline specific demands before the final application is completed. Ministers requested alternative traffic demand evolution models to evaluate the operational robustness of the planned facility. The stated objective is to anticipate necessary infrastructure adjustments across the multi-decade concession lifespan.

Runway configuration and terminal design

The ministerial evaluation addressed specific design aspects that require technical demonstration and clarification. The executive asked ANA for detailed data on the configuration of runways and taxiway circulation networks. These plans must demonstrate full operational flexibility and compatibility with Code F aircraft, which feature wingspans ranging between 65 meters and less than 80 meters. In addition, the July 2026 technical report shifted away from the initial project report by introducing a single passenger terminal, eliminating previous plans for a Terminal 2 or a satellite terminal. The government directed ANA to justify the single-terminal model and outline scalability criteria, including the physical pre-installations required for future construction phases.

Operational targets and passenger forecasts

The proposed facility, designated as Aeroporto Luís de Camões, will be constructed at the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete site. The government affirmed its plan to work directly with ANA to accelerate the development timeline and open the airport earlier than its current target date of 2037. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing welcomed ANA's updated traffic forecasts after the state previously contested earlier projections that estimated 45 million annual passengers by 2045. Ministers reiterated that the concessionaire must maintain continuous consultation with commercial airlines and industry stakeholders to ensure airport layouts reflect operational requirements.

Tourism sector urges interim capacity measures

The projected construction timeline drew immediate reaction from Portugal's tourism leadership over capacity constraints at Lisbon's existing Portela airport. In an interview with Agência Lusa, Francisco Calheiros, president of the Portuguese Tourism Confederation, warned that waiting up to 12 years for the Alcochete facility creates unsustainable pressure on Portuguese travel infrastructure. Calheiros reiterated support for an intermediate operational solution, referencing prior proposals developed by former Infrastructure Minister Pedro Nuno Santos to expand capacity during the construction phase.

The Confederation does not question Alcochete in the least, the decision is made. Now, I will not speculate on the construction of Alcochete, whether it is 10 years or 12 years. What I say is: Portela's capacity is exhausted and we cannot wait 12 years to have an infrastructure.

Calheiros also stated that national carrier TAP Portugal should be privatized in full as infrastructure planning continues.