Latest news and stories about travel disruptions in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
CNN journalist Clarissa Ward reports significant travel chaos and long queues at Lisbon Airport attributed to the implementation of the new EU Entry/Exit System biometric scanning requirements.
Passengers departing from Lisbon airport are facing renewed delays during security screening procedures.
Lisbon airport failed to meet 12% of summer slot requests, with officials warning that infrastructure constraints are negatively impacting the national tourism sector.
In this news bulletin, the first assessment of the strike called by the CGTP. Also, an update on the conflict in the Middle East, with a new exchange of attacks between the US and Iran.
IATA considers that the biggest risk for Portugal this summer is infrastructure limitations, especially at Lisbon airport, in a context of strong demand and increased pressure on border control.
The International Air Transport Association points to infrastructure constraints in the Portuguese capital as the main threat to the country's operations during the peak season.
Portuguese airports have been experiencing several constraints in passport control since the introduction of the new European Union entry and exit system. Why is this happening?
A general strike in Portugal on Wednesday, June 3, is set to disrupt various services, including airports. Flights between Brazil and Portugal have already been cancelled due to the industrial action, which protests proposed changes to the country's labour laws. The strike coincides with a busy week in Lisbon, featuring events like the Lisbon Forum and the Book Fair, as well as the start of the summer peak season. Airlines such as Azul and TAP have confirmed cancellations, with Azul expecting over a thousand passengers to be affected. TAP will operate with minimum services, with 17 flights between the two countries scheduled under these conditions on Wednesday. Travellers are advised to plan for significant disruptions to public transport, including the metro, trains, and buses, and to allow extra time for travel to the airport.
The European Commission confirmed this Friday that Portugal may partially suspend the registration of biometric data when necessary, stressing that this is provided for until September in the European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System regulation. Speaking to Lusa, a spokesperson for the community executive stated that “Portugal has confirmed that it will resort to the partial suspension of...
Starting this Friday, May 29, Lisbon Airport will receive 48 additional PSP officers and more booths and e-gates, according to the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI). To streamline border control, the airport will now have 34 booths for arrivals (14 more than currently) and 18 for departures (four more). Regarding automated border control, the airport will have 31 e-gates for arrivals (14 more) and 18 for departures (four more). The MAI added that following these expansions in Lisbon, similar reinforcements are planned for Porto and Faro airports during June and July. Portugal began implementing the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) on October 12, 2025, but biometric collection was suspended on April 11 and 12 of this year due to excessive passenger wait times. Tourism and aviation sectors have demanded the suspension of the European border system, with reports of chaos at Lisbon Airport.
There will be more machines, more counters, and more police in Lisbon and Faro starting this Friday, but it is not guaranteed that queues at border control will decrease significantly. Next week will be crucial to see if the system responds. The government is maintaining biometric data control for now, with the Ministry of Internal Administration arguing that security is “a matter to be monitored seriously.”
Experts point to airport “saturation”, flight concentration, and a new border control system as causes for long waiting lines. Tourism sector warns of “reputational damage”.
Carlos Moedas warns that the airport system needs immediate suspension to avoid total chaos.
The chaos at Portuguese airports is not just a technical failure; it is a failure of preparation, command, and public execution at a critical point for the national economy, precisely when Portugal claims it wants to increase the value of tourism and improve the experience of those visiting the country. The new Entry/Exit System, which...
Border control at Lisbon and Faro airports recorded waiting times “higher than desirable” during this morning, which are now “within reference parameters,” said the PSP.
Border control at Lisbon and Faro airports recorded waiting times 'higher than desirable' on Sunday morning, May 17, which are now 'within reference parameters', according to the PSP. The delays were attributed to technical IT issues and high air traffic volume. This follows similar delays on Saturday at Lisbon Airport, where wait times exceeded one hour. The PSP and ANA Aeroportos are working to minimize wait times while maintaining security standards for the Schengen Area.
Border control for departures at Lisbon airport is experiencing delays this Saturday due to “technical/IT difficulties”, with waiting times exceeding one hour, according to the PSP and ANA. “ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal confirms the long waiting times today at border control, exceeding a...
Images of endless queues at passport control at Lisbon Airport continue to reach social media, more than a month after the new Entry/Exit System (EES) for the Schengen area became mandatory. The association representing airlines in Portugal is, together with its counterparts...
The Government has decided to extend the current ground handling licenses for Lisbon, Faro, and Porto airports until the end of the IATA summer season, “within the maximum six-month period permitted by the current legal framework.” In a statement, the Ministry of Infrastructure emphasizes that “the goal is to ensure service stability during the...”,
The AirAdvisor ranking is led by Manchester airport, with a delay rate of 6.16%. In Porto, it is 5.31%. Lisbon has the highest delay rate, but shorter waiting times.
The European Commission conducted a surprise audit of Lisbon and Porto airports in December 2025, in which “serious deficiencies” were identified in the execution of border controls, reports CNN this Tuesday. Brussels warns that the failures could have an impact on other member states. The Commission considers that the irregularities detected could compromise security.
After the detection of odors on board (so-called fume events) on a TAP flight from Lisbon to Frankfurt late Sunday, the plane made an emergency landing in Paris. This Monday, passengers resumed their journey to the German capital. The airline rules out health impacts.
The Minister of Infrastructure assures that the government is in contact with oil companies regarding aviation fuel stock levels at national airports, stating that no TAP flight cancellations are expected for now. Miguel Pinto Luz emphasized that the issue is international and European in scale, and the government is working to ensure supply stability. Regarding the potential impact on the privatization of TAP, the minister declined to comment, noting that updates on the airline will be provided soon. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency has warned of potential fuel shortages in Europe, and the aviation sector is bracing for possible disruptions due to the ongoing energy crisis and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
