Airport expansion plans have been proposed and submitted in Lisbon
Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon, Portugal, has taken a significant step forward in its expansion plan. The final report for the expansion, submitted by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal to the government on August 1, 2025, aims to increase the airport's declared operational capacity to 45 movements (flights) per hour [1][2][3][5].
The expansion plan is a necessary response to the growing demand, intended to keep the current airport operational until the new airport in Alcochete becomes operational, which is expected within the next ten years [6].
Regarding the investment plans, the submitted proposal includes all necessary investments in a phased manner across subsystems to support the capacity expansion to 45 movements per hour. The specifics of the investment details highlight a comprehensive approach covering infrastructure upgrades and operational enhancements to meet demand efficiently and safely [1][2][3][5].
The environmental impact study is a crucial aspect of the expansion plan. The government requires appraisal and validation of the submitted plan by competent sector entities due to its technical complexity. Once analyzed and approved, ANA will prepare an Environmental Impact Study that must be submitted to the Portuguese Environment Agency in accordance with applicable law. This procedure ensures environmental considerations will be formally integrated before final implementation [3].
| Aspect | Current Status | |-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Operational Capacity Increase | Target of 45 movements per hour after expansion | | Investment Plans | Phased investments covering all necessary subsystems | | Environmental Impact Study | Planned after government approval, to be submitted to environment agency |
This expansion is seen as an urgent interim measure to sustain Humberto Delgado Airport’s capacity and service quality until the new Lisbon airport opens, avoiding wasted time and meeting the growth in air traffic demand [2][3].
In other related news, Minister Miguel Pinto Luz announced the transfer of the Air Force from Figo Maduro to Montijo air base, worth 30 million euros by 2028. This transfer aims to reinforce the capacity of Humberto Delgado Airport until the opening of the new airport in Alcochete.
[1] ECO. (2025). Humberto Delgado Airport Expansion Plan Submitted to Government. Retrieved from https://www.eco.pt/noticias/humberto-delgado-airport-expansion-plan-submitted-to-government-959429
[2] Portugal in Focus. (2025). Humberto Delgado Airport Expansion Plan: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://portugalinfocus.com/humberto-delgado-airport-expansion-plan-what-you-need-to-know/
[3] Aeroportos de Portugal. (2025). Humberto Delgado Airport Expansion Plan: Environmental Impact Study. Retrieved from https://www.aeroportosdeportugal.pt/en/news/humberto-delgado-airport-expansion-plan-environmental-impact-study
[4] Portuguese Environment Agency. (2025). Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure. Retrieved from https://www.apambiente.pt/portal/en/node/146
[5] Government of Portugal. (2024). Council of Ministers Resolution No. 67/2024. Retrieved from https://www.gov.pt/pt/noticias/resolucao-do-conselho-de-ministros-n%C2%BA-672024
[6] Government of Portugal. (2024). Extension of the Mandate and Deadline for Submitting the Final Report of the Monitoring Group for the Expansion of Humberto Delgado Airport’s Capacity. Retrieved from https://www.gov.pt/pt/noticias/extensao-do-mandato-e-prazo-para-apresentacao-do-relatorio-final-do-grupo-de-acompannhamento-para-a-expansao-da-capacidade-do-aeroporto-humberto-delgado
[7] Ministry of Infrastructure. (2025). Statement on the Urgent Need to Start Work on the New Airport. Retrieved from https://www.min-infraestruturas.pt/pt/noticias/declaracao-sobre-a-necessidade-urgente-de-iniciar-os-trabalhos-no-novo-aeroporto
The expansion of Humberto Delgado Airport in Portugal is a significant step within the local transportation industry, with ANA's proposal aiming to increase the airport's operational capacity to 45 movements per hour, through phased finance investments. Given the new airport in Alcochete's expected opening within the next decade, this project serves as an urgent interim measure to maintain the airport's service quality in Portugal's finance sector, ultimately catering to the increasing air traffic demand.
