Portugal's New Airport Project Accelerates as Prime Minister Reassures Tourism Leaders

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has reassured tourism industry leaders that the government is fully committed to advancing major infrastructure projects, including the long-awaited new airport for Lisbon.

Speaking at the "Turismo é Portugal" conference in Troia, Grândola, on Monday, Montenegro emphasized that investments in roadways, railways, and the new airport are moving forward as planned. "I want to reassure you, whether in the road, rail, or airport sectors, we are indeed going to deliver. This is a point of honor for our government," he stated.

Montenegro addressed concerns about the pace of these projects, acknowledging some silence but confirming that the new airport will become a reality. He responded directly to the president of the Confederation of Tourism of Portugal (CTP), Francisco Calheiros, who had earlier urged swift action on the airport construction.

"I want to assure the president of the tourism confederation that he will indeed see the new airport. I can't guarantee he'll still be president of the tourism confederation, but I don't think that's impossible or unlikely. Both things are possible," Montenegro quipped.

According to the Prime Minister, the new airport process "is moving forward" and the government is "compressing deadlines" to the maximum to achieve this major objective of building "a new airport infrastructure in the Lisbon region."

This infrastructure will serve the country and potentially involve a private-capital airline, possibly integrated into an international group, to add value to Portugal. It aims to maintain Lisbon as a hub, including strategic routes like those to the United States, which have already shown significant benefits for tourism.

Montenegro highlighted that since developing these routes, tourism from the U.S. has increased both in numbers and in the quality of spending, a trend that applies to other geographic markets, particularly in Europe.

He added that the government will fulfill its purpose of providing new momentum and capacity to the country's airport infrastructure, along with equivalent road and rail infrastructures that enhance mobility potential.

In his speech, Montenegro also mentioned the government's commitment to developing the Évora, European Capital of Culture project, noting that promoting culture and national heritage can make a difference.