Airport expansion proposals handed in Lisbon
Humberto Delgado Airport Expansion Plan Moves Forward
The expansion plan for Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport is progressing, with ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal submitting its final report to the Portuguese government on August 1, 2025. This report proposes investments to increase the airport's operational capacity to 45 flight movements per hour to meet growing passenger demand until a new airport is operational in about ten years.
Following the submission, the government is now undertaking a detailed technical and sectoral appraisal of the expansion plan to validate it. Once this analysis and validation by relevant authorities is completed and the government approves, ANA will prepare an Environmental Impact Study. This study will then be submitted to the Portuguese Environment Agency according to legal requirements before moving forward with implementation.
The expansion plan includes phased investments across all necessary airport subsystems to ensure operational capacity increases while maintaining safety and user comfort. The Ministry of Infrastructure has emphasized the importance of ensuring the best comfort and safety conditions for all users and professionals of Humberto Delgado Airport infrastructure.
The Government has also approved the transfer of the Air Force from Figo Maduro to Montijo air base, which will undergo adaptation works worth 30 million euros by 2028 to reinforce the capacity of Humberto Delgado Airport.
The Council of Ministers Resolution No. 67/2024 of May 27th determined the Expansion Plan for Humberto Delgado Airport. The plan aims to strengthen the capacity of the airport infrastructure to meet the growing demand for air traffic until Luís de Camões Airport becomes operational.
The next steps after ANA's final report submission include:
- Technical and sectoral appraisal and validation of the submitted expansion plan by competent government entities.
- Government approval of the validated plan.
- ANA to draft and submit an Environmental Impact Study to the Portuguese Environment Agency.
- Upon approval of the environmental and technical studies, implementation of the phased investments to expand the airport's declared capacity.
This process ensures that the expansion proceeds with due diligence on environmental, technical, and operational fronts until the new airport is inaugurated, projected in about ten years, at which point Humberto Delgado Airport would eventually be dismantled.
[1] Government extends deadline for Humberto Delgado Airport capacity expansion report - June 30, 2024 [2] Humberto Delgado Airport expansion plan to meet growing demand - May 27, 2024 [3] New airport in Alcochete to replace Humberto Delgado Airport - April 15, 2024 [4] Humberto Delgado Airport expansion plan details - August 2, 2025
The Government's approval of the Transfer of the Air Force from Figo Maduro to Montijo air base will bolster the capacity of Humberto Delgado Airport, in preparation for the upcoming expansion. The investment of 30 million euros in Montijo air base by 2028 will support the growth of the airport industry in Portugal, further enhancing the country's transportation infrastructure and finance prospects.
