Latest news and stories about airport capacity in Portugal for expats and residents.
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Approximately 12% of slot requests for the summer season at Lisbon Airport went unmet, the president of NAV revealed, warning that infrastructure limitations are penalising the country and the tourism sector. In an interview with Lusa, Pedro Ângelo explained that, for the summer season, requests were submitted...
Infrastructure limitations at Lisbon airport (Aeroporto de Lisboa) have resulted in 12% of requested flight slots for the summer season going unfulfilled. The National Air Navigation (Navegação Aérea de Portugal or NAV) warned that these capacity constraints are penalizing the tourism sector. Travelers should note that the lack of slots may limit flight options and keep ticket prices high during the peak season.
NAV Portugal (Navegação Aérea de Portugal) is the state-owned authority responsible for air traffic control and management in Portuguese airspace. It manages flight slots at major airports like Lisbon, where current infrastructure limits prevented the approval of 12% of requested slots for the upcoming summer season. Travelers should note that these capacity constraints frequently contribute to delays during peak periods.
Ryanair's chief executive today accused the Portuguese Government of limiting growth at Lisbon's Portela airport to protect TAP, and warned that European environmental taxation is making routes to the Azores loss-making.
The chief executive said the Government is “obsessed with protecting and looking after TAP”, adding that only after the airline's privatisation will it be possible to free up capacity.
Ryanair announced its summer 2026 schedule for Portugal, forecasting growth in Faro and Porto but no increase in capacity in Lisbon, which the airline attributes to ANA's fees and Portela's operational limitations.
Michael O'Leary said Ryanair will expand only in Porto and Faro and accused the Government of having Portela's capacity “artificially limited” to protect TAP during privatisation. He also reaffirmed Ryanair's withdrawal from the Azores starting in March.
Michael O'Leary blames ANA's 'high airport charges'
Ryanair announced it will grow its operations outside Lisbon, arguing that Lisbon’s Portela airport is being kept 'artificially limited' in capacity and is unable to support further expansion.
The Ryanair CEO accused the Government of limiting the capacity growth of Humberto Delgado Airport to protect TAP during the privatisation. Michael O’Leary also confirmed that the airline will stop flying to the Azores from the end of March, blaming the European Union's environmental taxes. The Government "is protecting ...
Home News Record number of passengers in Portugal airports Record number of passengers in Portugal airports Portuguese airports broke their passenger records, reaching 72. 5 million travellers in 2025.
easyJet Portugal's director-general says Humberto Delgado Airport is already operating at its limit and needs to become more operationally robust. José Lopes says it is among the worst in Europe for delays.
The chief executive of easyJet Portugal believes any increase in the number of flights in Lisbon should be preceded by improvements in operational quality, warning that the infrastructure is among the worst in Europe for delays. In an interview with Lusa, José Lopes said Humberto Delgado Airport is operating at its limit...
TAP will invest €20 million to put Porto on the maintenance map of the Portuguese carrier. NAV is expected to give the green light to increase aircraft movements per hour from 24 to 26 by the end of the year.
Home News Passenger traffic increases at Portugal airports Passenger traffic increases at Portugal airports Portuguese airports handled 68. 9 million passengers from January to November, 4. 7% more than in the same period of 2024, while cargo traffic registered a more moderate increase of 0.
Terminal 2 at Lisbon Airport now features a new boarding area to improve passenger flow and capacity.
