Portela Airport

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Portela Airport
Lisbon Airport
Aeroporto da Portela
Aeroporto de Lisboa
IATA: LIS - ICAO: LPPT
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Aeroportos de Portugal
Serves Lisbon, Portugal
Elevation AMSL 374 ft (114 m)
Coordinates 38°46′53″N, 09°08′09″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03/21 12,484 3,805 Asphalt
17/35 7,874 2,400 Asphalt

Portela Airport (Portuguese: Aeroporto da Portela or Aeroporto da Portela de Sacavém) (IATA: LIS, ICAO: LPPT) is located inside the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, although it takes its name from the neighbouring parish (freguesia) of Portela, also known as Portela de Sacavém). It is also known as the Lisbon Airport (Portuguese: Aeroporto de Lisboa).

Contents

The airport is the main international gateway to Portugal and a major European hub. It is one of the largest airports in Southern Europe. The airport has two main runways, capable of accommodating large-size aircraft such as the Boeing 747. During WWII, as the neutral airport was open to both German and British airlines, it was a hub for smuggling people in to, out of and all around Europe. As such, it was heavily monitored by both Axis and Allied spies. In 2002, the airport handled nearly 10 million passengers and 81,027 tonnes of cargo. Airlines TAP Portugal and Portugalia use it as their main base. The airport is run by State-owned company Aeroportos de Portugal.

The airport was opened on 15 October, 1942, with four 1,000 m runways. It quickly expanded, with extended runways and a new terminal. It also expanded its parking facilities to allow more aircraft movements (110,437 in 2002).

The airport is now completely surrounded by urban development, being one of the few airports in Europe located inside a major city. This has led to a national debate on whether to keep the present location or to build a new airport. As of 2006, Ota, 50 km North of Lisbon, has been chosen as the site for a new airport.

[edit] Airlines and destinations

[edit] Passenger

[edit] Cargo

[edit] External links

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