Latest news and stories about airport delays in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
The Ministry of Internal Administration has admitted to IT constraints affecting border control operations at Lisbon airport. While officials acknowledge that some passenger data is not being collected, they maintain that these technical issues do not pose a security risk to the country.
Ryanair has formally requested that the Portuguese government suspend the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) during the peak summer season to prevent significant airport delays and border control bottlenecks.
The Socialist Party is demanding explanations from the government regarding severe delays and operational failures at Portuguese airports linked to the implementation of the European Entry/Exit System.
Ryanair has called on the Portuguese Government to delay the implementation of the new European entry/exit system until September, warning of long queues at airports during the peak summer season. The airline argues that authorities have failed to provide sufficient staff and infrastructure, noting that wait times at Faro, Funchal, and Porto airports are already excessive. Ryanair has written to governments across Europe, including Portuguese Interior Minister Luís Neves, urging them to follow Greece's example and postpone the rollout to avoid travel disruptions for families.
According to Ryanair, waiting times at passport control are already exceeding one to two hours at Faro, Funchal, and Porto airports due to staff shortages and system failures.
Lisbon Airport faces a critical test this Easter weekend as authorities implement a contingency plan to manage border control, following recent reports of long queues and chaos for passengers arriving from outside the Schengen Area. The Ministry of Internal Administration has reinforced staff and introduced self-service kiosks to support the gradual rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES), though unions argue that the airport's infrastructure remains structurally inadequate to handle the current volume of non-EU travellers.
At the end of December, the Government announced contingency measures at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon to reduce waiting times in the arrivals area, namely the three-month suspension of the EES, which has now returned to full operation.
Portugal has introduced a new European mobile app, “Travel to Europe,” aimed at reducing border control queues at Lisbon airport. The app allows travelers from third countries to pre-register their personal and travel information up to 72 hours before arrival, helping to expedite border checks. Initially available only at Lisbon, the system is part of efforts to address delays caused by the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which faced processing issues. Despite the app being optional, it aims to streamline in-person border procedures. Recent assessments highlighted serious deficiencies in Lisbon's border security, prompting urgent measures including a temporary suspension of the EES and increased security personnel to manage queues and improve control.
A country that relies heavily on tourism cannot accept its main airport operating as an obstacle to its own development. Opinion piece by António Fiuza.
SPP/PSP says the delays at the airport are due to the new passenger screening system, which is 'more time-consuming'.
Castro Almeida has stated that delays at airports are detrimental to the tourism sector.
The Minister of Internal Administration admitted today that the introduction of the new European border control system for non-EU citizens “have gone very badly” at Portuguese airports, but denied that The post Minister makes rare appearance to say “yes… things things have gone very badly” at country’s airports appeared first on Portugal Resident.
Maria Lúcia Amaral acknowledges that the implementation of border control rules “went very badly” and worsened in recent days, with waiting times at Lisbon airport rising to six hours. While recognising the responsibility of her ministry and the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders, she also shares blame with ANA and the entities that manufactured the electronic entry gates.
In response to criticisms from ANA, the Government admits that the situation at airport borders is an “embarrassment” and apologises, promising solutions by next summer. Regarding the new airport, the Executive and the concessionaire are in the same room but not in sync: there is no consensus on deadlines. ANA wants to “shorten where possible” to inaugurate Alcochete by 2035.
