Exploring Lisbon Airport's Vastness And Significance In Portugal

Lisbon Airport, officially known as Humberto Delgado Airport, is an international airport located 7km northeast of Lisbon, Portugal. It is one of the country's busiest airports, serving over 35 million passengers annually. The airport has undergone several expansions and improvements to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, including the construction of Terminal 2. Lisbon Airport is expected to be replaced by the Lisbon Luís de Camões Airport in Montijo by 2034, addressing the current airport's capacity constraints.

Lisbon Airport is 7km from the city centre

Lisbon Airport, officially known as Humberto Delgado Airport, is located 7km from the city centre of Lisbon, Portugal. The airport is also known as Lisbon Portela Airport, having previously been called Portela Airport. It is an international airport, located 7 kilometres northeast of the historical city centre of Lisbon.

The airport is the main hub for Portugal's flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal, including its subsidiary TAP Express. It is also a hub for low-cost carriers Ryanair and easyJet. Lisbon Airport serves as a major hub for flights to and from South America, notably Brazil, and Africa. It is the 12th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, with more than 35 million passengers per year.

The airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 is used for both national and international flights, while Terminal 2 mainly serves low-cost carriers for European destinations. The airport has undergone several improvements and expansions in recent years, including the construction of Terminal 2, lighting and baggage claim refurbishment, and the enlargement of express cargo facilities. However, the airport has faced criticism for its congestion and frequent delays due to its inability to handle the current demand volume.

The Portuguese government has announced plans to expand the airport further, with a €1.1 billion investment. However, the expansion faces opposition due to concerns about pollution and noise. Additionally, there are plans to replace Lisbon Airport with the new Lisbon Luís de Camões Airport in Montijo, located 30km from Lisbon, which is expected to be operational by 2034.

It's the 12th-largest airport in Europe

Lisbon Airport, previously known as Lisbon Portela Airport, is the 12th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume. The airport, which is located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) northeast of Lisbon's historic city centre, serves over 35 million passengers per year. It is also the busiest single-runway airport in mainland Europe.

The airport, which first opened in 1942 during World War II, has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years. It serves as a major hub for flights to and from South America, notably Brazil, and Africa. It is the main base for Portugal's flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal, and its subsidiary, TAP Express. It also serves as a hub for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet.

Despite its high passenger volume, Lisbon Airport has received mixed reviews from travellers. It has been criticised for long lines at immigration and outdated facilities, particularly in Terminal 1. In 2019, it was ranked as one of the worst airports in the world by AirHelp. However, it has also received positive reviews for its organisation and has a 4.3-star rating on Google Reviews.

In recent years, there have been plans to expand the airport further to accommodate the high passenger traffic. However, these plans have faced opposition due to concerns about increased pollution and noise. Additionally, there are proposals to replace the airport with the Lisbon Luís de Camões Airport in Montijo, expected to be operational by 2034.

It's also known as Humberto Delgado Airport

Lisbon Airport, located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) northeast of Lisbon, Portugal, is also known as Humberto Delgado Airport. The airport, which first opened in 1942, was previously known as Lisbon Portela Airport or simply Portela Airport due to its geographical location.

In February 2015, the Lisbon city council proposed renaming the airport after Humberto Delgado, a late Portuguese air force general and famous politician. This proposal was agreed upon across party lines. In February 2016, the Portuguese government announced that the airport would be officially renamed on 15 May 2016 to honour Humberto Delgado and his role in opposing the dictatorship regime and founding Portugal's flagship airline, TAP.

Humberto Delgado Airport is the 12th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, handling over 33 million passengers in 2023 and more than 190,700 tonnes of cargo in the same year. It is the busiest single-runway airport in mainland Europe and is a major hub for flights to and from South America, Africa, the United States, the Middle East, and other international destinations. The airport features two passenger terminal buildings, with plans to build a third terminal to accommodate the high demand for international travel.

Despite its status as one of the largest airports in Southern Europe, Humberto Delgado Airport faces challenges with congestion and noise pollution due to its approach path directly over the city. It is expected to be shut down by 2034 when the Lisbon Luís de Camões Airport becomes fully operational.

It's the busiest single-runway airport in mainland Europe

Lisbon Airport, or Humberto Delgado Airport, is the busiest single-runway airport in mainland Europe. Previously known as Portela Airport, it was renamed in 2016 after Humberto Delgado, a famous Portuguese air force general and politician. The airport is located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) northeast of Lisbon's historical city centre.

With more than 35 million passengers per year, it is the 12th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume. It also handles approximately 200,000 tonnes of cargo annually. The airport serves as the primary hub for Portugal's flag carrier, TAP Air Portugal, and its subsidiary, TAP Express. It is also a hub for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet. Additionally, it is a focus city for several airlines, including Azores Airlines and euroAtlantic Airways.

The airport has undergone significant upgrades and expansions over the years. Between 2007 and 2013, several improvements were made, including the construction of Terminal 2, lighting and baggage claim refurbishments, and new cargo facilities. In 2019, the Portuguese government unveiled a €1.1 billion plan to further expand the airport, which is currently operating at full capacity.

However, Lisbon Airport is one of the most congested airports in Europe, and there are plans to replace it with the new Lisbon Luís de Camões Airport in Montijo, located 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Lisbon. The new airport is expected to be completed by 2034 and will have the capacity to handle up to 100 million passengers annually. It will feature two runways, with the potential to expand to four, addressing the current airport's capacity constraints and providing much-needed relief to the congested Humberto Delgado Airport.

It's expected to be replaced by a new airport in 2034

Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport, previously known as Portela Airport, is located 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) northeast of the city centre. It is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving over 35 million passengers annually. However, it faces challenges such as congestion and noise pollution due to its proximity to the city.

To address these issues and meet the growing demand for air travel, plans are underway to replace the current airport with a new one by 2034. The new airport, named Lisbon Luís de Camões Airport, will be located in Montijo, approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Lisbon. It is expected to cost around €9 billion and will be funded through European Union funds, public-private partnerships, and airport tariffs.

The decision to build a new airport in Montijo was made after years of debate and consideration of various locations, including Ota, a village 50 kilometres north of Lisbon. In 2007, the Portuguese Industry Confederation (CIP) suggested a site in the municipality of Alcochete as an alternative, and a government-contracted study concluded in late 2007 that Alcochete was the best location. However, the current plan is for the airport to be built in Montijo, with construction expected to start in 2024.

The new airport is designed to meet the future demand for air travel in the region, with a projected capacity of up to 100 million passengers annually by 2050. It will feature two runways, with the potential to expand to four runways, and will have a capacity of up to 95 movements per hour. In addition, a third bridge will be built across the Tagus River to improve accessibility to the airport from Lisbon.

While the development of the new airport is a priority for the Portuguese government, there are still challenges and uncertainties ahead. Environmental concerns, potential legal obstacles, and economic factors could impact the timeline and even the realisation of the project. Nonetheless, the plan to replace the current Lisbon airport by 2034 remains a significant development in Portugal's aviation infrastructure.

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