Lisbon Airport Night Flight Crackdown: Regulator Issues €1.98M in Fines Amidst New Curfew Plans
Portugal’s national civil aviation authority, ANAC, has levied fines totaling nearly €2 million against airlines for violating nighttime flight restrictions at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport in the first half of 2025. The regulatory authority announced the enforcement actions as it moves to implement stricter rules following a government mandate to mitigate noise pollution affecting local residents. The specific regulations being enforced are based on a 2004 ordinance limiting movements between midnight and 6:00 AM, but new, more stringent measures are in development. The effective dates for these new rules, including a potential full ban on flights between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM, are still being finalized, as the process requires compliance with complex European legislation. ANAC has initiated 51 new contravention proceedings and concluded 81 in the first six months of the year, demonstrating a significant increase in enforcement. The compliance requirements for affected parties, namely the airlines, are clear, yet violations have persisted, leading to the substantial fines. The government's decision, prompted by recommendations from a dedicated working group and advocacy from environmental organizations, aims to address the long-standing issue of aircraft noise. Minister of Infrastructure Miguel Pinto Luz confirmed that the political decision to impose a 'hard curfew' has been made and the process is underway. However, he noted that the implementation timeline is subject to the rigorous technical and legal procedures required by EU law, which involves close coordination with NAV Portugal, the national air traffic controller. The cost implications for airlines are significant, not only in terms of fines but also in potential operational adjustments. The administrative procedures for implementing the new restrictions are currently being prepared by ANAC. This ongoing regulatory change is a key development for the Lisbon area, particularly for property owners and residents in neighborhoods impacted by airport operations. Understand policy impacts on your Portugal property plans at realestate-lisbon.com.
