Latest news and stories about airports in Portugal for expats and residents.
Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz acknowledged that long border control queues at Lisbon, Porto, and Faro airports are damaging Portugal's international image. Passenger numbers have risen by nearly 70% over the last decade, yet infrastructure and staffing levels have not kept pace, leading to significant delays for travelers arriving from outside the Schengen Area.
Portuguese airports faced significant operational instability on April 19, resulting in 233 flight delays and 6 cancellations. Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon was the most impacted, with 188 delays, while Porto also experienced substantial disruptions. Authorities attributed the logistical issues to a combination of air traffic control failures and weather conditions.
The new digital passport control system has successfully completed its first 24 hours of operation, with mandatory biometric data collection proceeding without technical issues.
Portuguese authorities have officially declined requests to suspend the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) at airports during the peak summer season, maintaining their commitment to the new regulatory framework despite concerns over potential travel disruptions.
Information regarding the new operating licences for Portuguese airports.
Menzies Aviation (SPdH) has won the tender for ground handling licenses at the airports of Lisbon, Porto and Faro, the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) announced today.
Menzies Aviation (SPdH) has been awarded the licences for ground handling services at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports, the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) announced on Friday, October 23. The regulator concluded that SPdH has the technical capacity to provide these services. The decision follows the disqualification of the Spanish consortium Union South, which had initially been the highest-ranked bidder but failed to meet licensing requirements, specifically regarding the mobilization of necessary resources. SPdH, formerly known as Groundforce, is now fully owned by the British company Menzies Aviation after the latter acquired the remaining stake from TAP.
SATA has received six non-binding offers as part of the privatisation process for SATA Handling, the Azorean airline reports. The company had previously received 11 expressions of interest in September regarding the sale of 100% of the capital of its ground handling services in the islands.
I do not retract a single comma of what I wrote. Porto continues to be the best entrance. Only this time, to enter through Porto, I had to pass through Lisbon.
The municipalities of Baixo Alentejo criticised today the choice of Tancos to install a pilot school within the scope of the TAP privatisation process, arguing instead that Beja Airport should have hosted this investment.
Portuguese airports recorded more than 51 million passengers in 2026. In August alone, there were 7.9 million. Data from the INE reveal that the United Kingdom remains the country that brings the most people to Portugal.
National airports handled 7.9 million passengers in August, a 2.0% year-on-year increase, accumulating 51.01 million passengers since the beginning of the year, representing a 2.4% year-on-year rise, according to data released today by Statistics Portugal (INE).
ANA stated that in recent years there have been repeated instances of contractual non-compliance by these associations at the Horta and Flores airports.
ANA is set to significantly increase investment in the airports it manages in Portugal over the next three years. The concessionaire expects to spend 687 million euros between 2026 and 2028, excluding VAT and at current prices, according to Negócios. The plan represents a gradual increase in annual financial commitment, with Lisbon airport receiving the largest share at 388 million euros, followed by Porto, the Azores, Faro, Madeira, and Beja. This investment schedule was included in documentation submitted by ANA during the public consultation process for updated regulated fees.
ANA plans to invest 687 million euros in the ten Portuguese airports it manages between 2026 and 2028, reports Jornal de Negócios. For this year, investments (at current prices and excluding VAT) of 165 million euros are planned, with 215 million in 2027 and 307 million the following year, according to...
Home News Madeira's airports handled more than 606,000 passengers Madeira's airports handled more than 606,000 passengers Madeira’s airports recorded 606,200 passengers in August—a 3.
There is a strike by general civil service workers this Friday, affecting schools, public service counters, local councils, and waste collection in several municipalities.
Among 20 major European airports, Lisbon and Porto are the ones that most exceed carbon budgets: the limit of greenhouse gases they can emit to limit global warming.
National airports handled 7.7 million passengers in July, representing a 2% growth compared to the same period last year, reveals the National Statistics Institute (INE). The United Kingdom remained the main country of origin and destination for passenger flights. Passenger traffic has returned to growth after having...
Home News Airports in Portugal register 20. 8 million passengers Airports in Portugal register 20. 8 million passengers Airports in Portugal handled almost 20.
Some of the most important British airports are facing a “technical issue” this Tuesday that is causing disruptions.
Changes approved on August 31st cover the airports of Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal, and Ponta Delgada and are being implemented in phases starting in September.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) has revised the service quality assessment indicators at major airports managed by ANA, specifically regarding baggage delivery and security screening wait times, the regulator announced today.
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) has revised the service quality assessment indicators at the main airports managed by ANA, specifically regarding baggage delivery and security screening wait times, the regulator announced this Friday. The new criteria were approved during an ANAC Board of Directors meeting on the 31st.
The number of commercial flights in the European Union (EU) increased by 3.8% in 2025, to 6.9 million, approaching the 7 million recorded in 2019, before the pandemic, according to data released this Friday by Eurostat. The number of flights has been increasing continuously since 2021 and, in 2025, remained only slightly below the level recorded before...
Data from Vinci Airports shows a 2.5% growth in passenger numbers across Portugal's airports during the first seven months of the year.
The number of passengers passing through airports in Portugal saw a 2.5% growth in the first seven months of the year, according to data from Vinci.
From the 6th, all airports will implement full biometric data collection for passengers.
