Portugal Reveals Plans for Lisbon’s New Airport
Portugal’s long-running plan for a new Lisbon airport has moved forward after operator ANA submitted the engineering, cost and construction report for Luís de Camões Airport. The project will be built at the Alcochete military site, east of the capital, and is intended to replace Humberto Delgado Airport. Environmental review remains the next formal stage before detailed design and architectural work can begin.
Inside Lisbon’s Planned Replacement Airport
- Location: Alcochete military site, east of Lisbon
- Airport: Luís de Camões Airport
- Opening timetable: ANA targets 2037; the government wants 2035
- Estimated cost: €7.9–€8.9 billion at 2024 prices
- Initial capacity: Up to 56 million passengers a year
- Long-term capacity: Up to 85 million passengers
- First phase: Two runways and 120 aircraft stands
- Current airport: Humberto Delgado will remain open during construction
- Next step: Environmental review and detailed design
The first phase is designed around a 500,000-square-metre terminal, two runways and 120 aircraft stands. ANA also plans 194 self-service check-in kiosks and technology intended to improve passenger processing. The airport will connect with a third crossing over the Tagus, new roads and Portugal’s high-speed rail network, although those access projects must be delivered alongside the terminal across the wider region.
The larger airport could support more direct services to Lisbon and improve connections for trips continuing across Portugal. The capital’s historic districts, Belém and Sintra would remain the main draws, while new rail links could also simplify journeys towards Porto, Madrid and destinations south of the Tagus. Alcochete itself sits near the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve, known for wetlands and birdlife.
Humberto Delgado Airport will continue handling Lisbon flights while the new airport is built, so current bookings are unaffected. The 2037 opening date remains provisional because environmental approval, funding and major road and rail connections still have to be secured. Travellers should not expect immediate changes, but the project could eventually ease pressure on Lisbon’s crowded airport and support more routes once the first phase opens.
