Civic Platform Urges Rejection of Lisbon Airport Expansion, Citing Urgency for New Alcochete Hub
The Portuguese government's strategy for Lisbon's airport capacity is facing significant public opposition, as the civic platform “Airport Out, Lisbon Gets Better” has formally called on the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) to reject the expansion plan for Humberto Delgado Airport (AHD). The government announced its policy to increase AHD's capacity as an interim solution until the new Luís de Camões Airport in Alcochete is operational. This initiative, proposed by the airport concessionaire ANA/Vinci, aims to increase flight movements to 45 per hour, a move the government deems necessary to manage current demand.
The policy decision stems from the long-delayed project to build a new international gateway for Lisbon. The government's stated objective is to bridge the capacity gap over the next decade, the estimated timeline for the new airport's construction. The Ministry of Infrastructure has confirmed that the expansion plan, submitted on August 5, is undergoing technical analysis by aviation regulators before an Environmental Impact Assessment is prepared for the APA. The government's rationale is based on accommodating projected passenger growth and mitigating operational constraints at the current facility.
The implementation strategy involves a €300 million investment by ANA/Vinci to upgrade the existing infrastructure. This plan, however, is at the center of the controversy. The civic platform argues this policy is a misallocation of resources that serves private interests while delaying a permanent, superior solution. They contend that the government, under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, has reversed its previous stance on prioritizing the relocation of the airport from its current urban location in Portela.
The primary group affected by this policy includes the residents of Lisbon, who face continued noise and air pollution, and the national economy, which critics argue is being held back by a suboptimal airport solution. The platform highlights that the Portela site was identified as a public health concern over five decades ago. They are demanding that the 500-hectare area be repurposed for public green space and leisure upon the airport's eventual decommissioning.
The budget for the expansion is to be covered by the concessionaire, but opponents label it a 'notoriously expensive and useless investment.' They advocate for redirecting all focus and resources to accelerating the construction of the Alcochete airport, which they claim 'should have been built yesterday.' This sentiment reflects a deep-seated frustration with decades of indecision on the matter.
Stakeholder consultation has been a point of contention. The civic group is demanding a more inclusive process, particularly regarding the future use of the Portela lands. Their public statements aim to rally support against the government's current two-airport strategy, framing it as a capitulation to corporate lobbying at the expense of public interest and long-term strategic planning.
The expected economic impact is debated. While the government and ANA/Vinci project immediate benefits from increased capacity, the opposition forecasts negative long-term consequences, including perpetuating urban blight and undermining the potential of the new airport. They argue that a decisive move to Alcochete would unlock greater economic and social benefits for the entire region.
A monitoring framework for the expansion's impact will be established through the Environmental Impact Assessment, but critics are skeptical of its efficacy in addressing their core concerns. They point to other European cities that have successfully relocated urban airports as a best practice that Lisbon should follow without further delay.
Political opposition is now formally mobilized through the platform's appeal to the APA. They are leveraging public discontent and historical arguments to challenge the government's policy, creating a charged political atmosphere around the decision.
The debate over Lisbon's airport is a defining issue for the city's future development. The government's legislative and policy agenda will be heavily influenced by the outcome of the APA's review and the ongoing public pressure campaign. The final decision will have lasting implications for Portugal's infrastructure, economy, and urban landscape.
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