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
Location Portela de Sacavém
Elevation AMSL 374 ft / 114 m
Coordinates 38°46′53″N 09°08′09″W / 38.78139, -9.13583
Website http://www.ana.pt/portal/page/portal/ANA/
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03/21 12,484 3,805 Asphalt
17/35 7,874 2,400 Asphalt

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

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 World War II, as the neutral airport was open to both German and British airlines, it was a hub for smuggling people into, out of and all around Europe. As such, it was heavily monitored by both Axis and Allied spies. In 2007, the airport handled 13 392 059 passengers and 82 879 tonnes of cargo.[1] The airport is the main base-hub of TAP Portugal. 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).

[edit] Replacement

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, where this last option was taken. Initially, Ota, a village 50 km north of Lisbon, was chosen as one of the sites for the new airport. In 2007 an independent study coordinated by the portuguese Industry Confederation (CIP) suggested Alcochete as an alternative location (see Alcochete Airport). In Alcochete a military training facility currently occupies the site, but the military agreed to abandon the location provided they could transfer their facility to a different area. A second government-contracted study led by the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC)[2] concluded in late 2007 that Alcochete was the best location.

The Selection of Alcochete was announced in January 10, 2008, more than 35 years after the first capacity increase studies were initiated. Portuguese prime minister José Sócrates announced that Alcochete was the preliminary choice, to be finalized after public consultation.[3].[4]

[edit] Interim solution

In November 2006, the company operating the airport, ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, announced an expansion plan for the current airport structures, in order to respond current passenger traffic growth trends and full capacity use of the airport, until the new Lisbon international airport is finished in 2017.

This plan involves the construction of Terminal 2 (concluded and operational since August 2007) and the expansion of the current main terminal, with new boarding gates, new airbridges and new parking positions and a more efficient use of currently existing structures. These new structures will be fully operating in 2010.

Currently, Terminal 2 is used for domestic regular flights while the main building (now denominated as Terminal 1) operates all international regular and charter flights. In the near future, when the expansion of Terminal 1 will be near conclusion, Terminal 2 may be used as a low cost airline terminal[citation needed].

[edit] Airlines and destinations

[edit] Passenger

Terminal 1:

Terminal 2:

  • Aeronorte (Bragança, Vila Real)
  • SATA International (Funchal, Horta, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria, Terceira)
  • TAP Portugal (Faro, Funchal, Horta, Pico, Ponta Delgada, Porto, Porto Santo, Terceira)

[edit] Charter

[edit] Cargo airlines

[edit] 2007-2010 improvement and expansion plan

Improvement/deliverable Quarter Status
Baggage claim refurbishment 2Q07 Y Done
New Terminal 2 3Q07 Y Done
New lightening and other 1Q08 Y Done
New cargo facilities 3Q08
New fuel storage 4Q08
Enlargement of express cargo facilities 1Q09
New north pier and boarding lounge 3Q09
Electrical refurbishments 4Q09
Expansion of south pier 1Q10
New north bus gate and baggage claim 1Q10
Departure lounge refurbishments and underground station 1Q10
Other terminal improvements 3Q10

Source: Aeroportos de Portugal [5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ ANA
  2. ^ LNEC study favouring Alcochete as the location for Lisbon's new airport, in portuguese
  3. ^ Alcochete airport anouncement, in portuguese
  4. ^ Portugal's new Lisbon airport to be built in Alcochete for 4.9 bln eur - PM from Forbes online, January 10, 2008
  5. ^ http://www.ana.pt/ngt_server/attachfileu.jsp?look_parentBoui=7894331&att_display=y&att_download=y

[edit] External links