Lisbon Airport's Capacity Crisis Threatens Portugal's Tourism Economy
Key Points
- 1Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) saw 44% of its 16 million departing passengers affected by disruptions in 2025, the highest rate among Portugal's major hubs.
- 2The Portugal tourism aviation strain threatens the Portuguese economy, where tourism generated €27.7 billion in 2024, accounting for 20% of exports.
- 3ANA Aeroportos de Portugal submitted a plan to increase LIS capacity to 45 movements per hour and add 10 new gates as an interim fix.
- 4The long-term solution is the new Luís de Camões Airport at Alcochete, expected to replace LIS and become operational around 2034.
The departure halls at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) are often crowded. Passengers frequently face long queues and delayed flights. This scene has become a familiar sign of a growing Lisbon airport capacity crisis.
Portugal now holds a difficult position in European air travel. The nation is a European leader in flight disruptions. Data from AirHelp shows that in 2025, approximately 36% of 227,000 departing flights were delayed. This affected over 11.6 million passengers.
The Economic Risk of Aviation Strain
The Portugal tourism aviation strain now threatens the nation's economic stability. The Portuguese economy relies heavily on its tourism sector. Bank of Portugal figures show tourism generated €27.7 billion in 2024. This revenue accounted for 20% of Portugal’s total exports.
Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal, noted the airport's limitations. He stated the difficulty in finding slots and runway space. This constraint affects entering new, strategic markets. The lack of capacity limits growth for carriers like Airbus customers serving the region.
LIS is the country's busiest hub, handling over 16 million departing passengers in 2025. Critically, 44% of these passengers were affected by disruptions. This was the worst performance among Portugal’s major airports. By contrast, Faro Airport, the gateway to the Algarve, saw 79% of flights depart on time. This highlights the specific problem in the capital.
Immediate and Long-Term Solutions
Airport operator ANA Aeroportos de Portugal (part of the Vinci Group) is working on fixes. They submitted a detailed Lisbon airport expansion plans report in August 2025. The goal is to bridge the gap until a new airport is built.
- The plan seeks to increase LIS's operational capacity.
- Capacity will rise to a maximum of 45 movements per hour.
- A €250 million investment is underway for the South Pier at Terminal 1.
- This will add 10 new boarding gates and 33,000 square meters of terminal area.
These upgrades aim to improve efficiency and reduce wait times. They are crucial for minimizing European air travel congestion in the region. The Ministry of Infrastructure stressed the urgency of these measures. They must ensure comfort and safety for all users.
The Future of Lisbon's Air Traffic Management
The permanent solution involves constructing a new facility. The new Luís de Camões Airport is planned for Alcochete. This site is projected to be operational around 2034. At that time, the current Humberto Delgado Airport will be decommissioned. The new airport is designed to meet future demand. It will have the capability to handle up to 100 million passengers annually by 2050.
Earlier plans to convert Montijo Air Base into a complementary airport were stalled. Environmental concerns and municipal disagreements blocked the project. This highlights the air traffic management challenges in finding a consensus.
For now, the focus remains on the current airport's expansion. The Lisbon airport capacity crisis requires immediate attention. The government and ANA must ensure the interim measures succeed. Failure to do so risks Portugal's reputation as a top European destination. This story, and others like it, are covered in commercial aviation news. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) continue to monitor infrastructure challenges across the continent, including in Portugal. The stakes are high for the Portuguese economy airport infrastructure.
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Ujjwal SukhwaniAviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
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