The Council of Ministers decided, on 14 May, that the new airport would be built at Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, while Aeroporto Humberto Delgado (AHD), in Lisbon would continue to operate and increase its capacity until the Aeroporto Luís de Camões is built.


Why Alcochete?

According to the studies promoted in 1972, Alcochete was already the choice of the experts however, the construction of a new airport was always postponed, with confirmation of the decision only coming in 2024.

The decision came after a report made by an independent commission, that evaluated several sites where the airport could be built, including Vendas Novas, in the Évora district. According to the Government’s official website, Alcochete appeared to be the best option, not only because “it is entirely located in public lands”, unlike the reality in Vendas Novas, but also because it is closer to Lisbon’s centre. Additionally, Alcochete, in the Setúbal district, is closer to the main car roads and railways, which would reduce car traffic in Lisbon.


What is going to happen to Aeroporto Humberto Delgado?

The ministers have also decided to increase the capacity of the AHD allowing 45 departures and arrivals per hour and to invest in the terminals and their accessibility. Since 2018, the airport has been above the limits set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, leading to a poor infrastructure rating among the passengers and also an increase in flight delays.

The project for AHD is linked to the work on the high-speed railway, allowing passengers from other parts of the country to arrive at the AHD more easily, as well as improve the access to Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro, in Porto, for those living in Central Portugal.


New bridge and high-speed train

The Government has also decided to build a third bridge between the municipalities of Lisbon and Setúbal, which are separated by River Tagus. The new bridge will cross over the river between Chelas (Lisbon) and Barreiro (Setúbal).

The Terceira Travessia do Tejo (TTT), Third Tagus Crossing, in English, will facilitate and the traffic for both trains and cars, and the bridge will also include a railway. Regarding the trains, the bridge will allow an increase of trips and also to shorten the trips to or from the Algarve or Alentejo, by 30 minutes.

When it comes to cars, the bridge will ease the traffic from the other two Lisbon bridges, promoting a direct connection between Barreiro and Lisbon, usually done by train.


But when?

The Government, on its website, affirms that the first airport runway will be constructed by 2030, and RTP affirmed that the Aeroporto Luís de Camões will be concluded in ten years.

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos