Government receives report from ANA on proposed new Lisbon airport
In a recent development, the future Luis Camoes Airport project, set to be located at the Field Firing Range of Alcochete, approximately 40 km from Lisbon, is expected to undergo some significant changes. The project, initially proposed in 2008, was temporarily shelved during austerity measures in 2013 but is now back on the table, with a target operational date of 2034.
The project has received contributions from various entities, with 104 requests for input sent out, and 67 responses received. The Portuguese Industry Confederation and the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering were among the key contributors in the initial site selection process.
A key aspect of the ongoing consultation process has been the optimization of the project, with the report incorporating suggestions from main airlines, ground handling companies, municipalities, authorities, and the concessionaire, ANA. This consultation took place between February and July 2025.
The report, recently submitted by ANA Aeroportos to the Government, focuses on the main technical specifications, operational needs, and airport fees. Initially, the report forecast a cost of 8.5 billion euros, with 7 billion to be financed through debt issuance, and an opening in mid-2037 or potentially at the end of 2036 if negotiations with the Government result in schedule optimizations. However, it is now anticipated that there will be a downward revision of the infrastructure cost.
Another significant proposal is the extension of the current concession for the Luis Camoes Airport by an additional 30 years, which would extend the concession term to 2092 if the proposal advances. The concessionaire, ANA, has an additional 36 months (three years) to present the complete candidacy for the new airport, according to the concession contract.
One of the prior conditions for the start of construction of the new airport, as proposed by ANA, is the validation by the European Commission of any eventual counter-parties to ensure they do not constitute State aids.
However, the Government has raised concerns about the proposed increase in airport fees from 2026 to finance the construction of the new airport. A six-month deadline for the submission of the Environmental Report has begun, but no updated information on the project's current budget or the timeline for the Environmental Report is available at this time.
As the project progresses, it is essential to keep an eye on official Portuguese government sources or the managing airport authority for the most up-to-date and detailed data on project budget revisions or Environmental Report submissions.
The Portuguese Industry Confederation and the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering, being key contributors in the initial site selection process, have provided valuable insights regarding the business and finance aspects of the Luis Camoes Airport project. The upcoming optimization of the project, as suggested by the report submitted by ANA Aeroportos to the Government, will likely have an impact on various sectors of the industry.
