Lisbon’s New Airport Project Moves Forward After Decades
Plans for a new airport to serve Lisbon have taken a decisive step forward after more than half a century of delays. The proposed Luís de Camões Airport has been discussed since the mid-1960s, when it became clear that expanding Lisbon’s existing Portela Airport would be extremely difficult. Since then, multiple proposals have come and gone, with the project repeatedly reshaped but never delivered.
The new airport is planned for Alcochete, on the opposite bank of the Tagus River, roughly a 50-minute drive from central Lisbon. Recent talks have centred on practical design issues such as runway length, spacing and aircraft contact stands. Current plans set out two runways in the first phase, with construction expected to start around 2030 or 2031 once planning and approval processes are completed.
In later stages, the site could expand to four runways, allowing the airport to handle up to 100 million passengers annually by 2050. The projected construction cost stands at around €9 billion. By comparison, Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport currently handles more than 35 million passengers a year with two runways, making it one of Europe’s busiest urban airports and one of the few with flight paths directly over the city.
What changes for access around Lisbon
- Reduced pressure on Humberto Delgado Airport
- Fewer flights operating over residential areas
- Scope for long-term capacity growth
- Potential improvements to regional rail and road links
Once operational, the new airport would become Lisbon’s primary gateway, with the existing city airport expected to close completely.
Although work has yet to begin, operations are currently forecast to start in 2034. Portuguese industry figures have warned that prolonged indecision has already cost the country time and competitiveness. For people travelling to and from Lisbon in the long term, the project signals a shift away from constrained urban aviation towards a purpose-built hub designed for future demand rather than short-term fixes.
