Latest news and stories about travel disruptions in travel in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
A CNN Portugal analysis reveals that only 2.7% of trains between Lisbon and Porto arrived on time during a one-week period, with an average delay of 20 minutes per journey.
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.
The Lisbon airport border was temporarily closed this Tuesday after passengers from a flight arriving from Brazil disembarked in the wrong area, causing a mix of passengers, the PSP confirmed. In a response sent to Lusa, the PSP indicated that the incident involved passengers who arrived in Portugal from Salvador, Brazil, and...
Delays at immigration are caused by a new passport inspection system, which has been heavily criticised. Passengers have to wait in long queues without updates on the status of their flights.
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.
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.
