The long-running debate over Lisbon’s new airport has taken another concrete step, with the Portuguese government reconfirming the future site of Aeroporto Luís de Camões.
New Lisbon airport: the main decisions and what is actually happening
After years of back‑and‑forth, the government has now formally validated the Alcochete Firing Range as the location for the new Lisbon airport.
What's next?
- The new airport still has to complete a detailed technical report and an updated Environmental Impact Study, both scheduled for July 2026.
- Only after the full application is approved – potentially in or after 2028 – can large‑scale construction and certification move ahead.
- Commercial flights will therefore continue to use the current Lisbon airport for several years.
New Lisbon airport location: Alcochete and connections with Lisbon
The new Lisbon airport location is planned at the eastern edge of the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete (Alcochete Firing Range), on the south bank of the Tagus River.
From the point of view of residents and long‑term visitors:
Direction and distance
Alcochete lies east of central Lisbon, on the opposite side of the river.The journey by road from the city centre is likely to be around 30–40 kilometres, depending on the final access routes.
- River crossings
Trips from the north bank will require crossing the Tagus via the main bridges or any new connection that might be approved as part of the project. Metropolitan balance
For people based in Cascais and the western suburbs, reaching Alcochete will involve crossing Lisbon and then heading east.For those on the south bank – Almada, Barreiro, Seixal, Montijo, Setúbal – access could become more direct as new roads or public transport links are defined.
How the new Lisbon airport could affect daily life, travel and tourism
For now, the new Lisbon airport project mainly changes the long‑term outlook rather than day‑to‑day travel.
In its latest response to ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, the government highlights that the operator’s traffic projections for the new airport are “too conservative”.
It warns that underestimating future demand could “compromise the correct sizing” of the infrastructure. Officials have asked ANA to revise these forecasts so the new hub at Alcochete can match likely passenger growth.
For residents and regular travellers, the immediate picture is straightforward:
- Airlines will continue to use the existing Lisbon airport for several years while studies, approvals and, later, construction go ahead.
- Any move to transfer flights across the Tagus to Alcochete will be gradual and set out in advance, rather than happening overnight.
New Lisbon airport concerns for local communities and the environment
Environmental questions remain a central part of the new Lisbon airport process, alongside the debate over capacity and traffic.
The current Environmental Impact Study is due to be delivered to the Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, APA) in July 2026.
For people living on the south bank or considering moving closer to the site, the main Lisbon airport concerns could be:
- The Tagus estuary and surrounding wetlands are environmentally sensitive, so construction and operations are being reviewed in detail.
- Extra traffic and new infrastructure will affect how nearby municipalities manage roads, public transport and local services as the project advances.
Areas likely to be affected by the new airport
While most attention is on Lisbon itself, several towns around the Tagus could see changes as connections to Alcochete improve.
On the south bank, areas that may attract more interest from residents and long‑term visitors include:
- Alcochete
A small town on the south bank close to the planned airport site at the Alcochete Firing Range. - Montijo
Located near major road links and opposite Lisbon across the river, potentially affected by new or upgraded infrastructure. - Barreiro and Seixal
Municipalities with existing ferry and road connections to Lisbon that could be influenced by any broader transport network serving the new airport.
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