Humberto Delgado Airport (IATA:LIS,ICAO:LPPT) — informallyLisbon Airport and previouslyPortela Airport — is aninternational airport located seven kilometres (four nautical miles) northeast of thehistorical city centre ofLisbon, the capital ofPortugal. With more than 36 million passengers per year, it is the13th-largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, and the busiest single-runway airport inmainland Europe.[4][5] It also carries approximately 200,000 tonnes of cargo per year.[6]
The airport is expected to be shut down after theLisbon Luís de Camões Airport is fully operational, scheduled for 2034.[11] In the meantime, it remains as one of the most congested airports in Europe and one of the only major airports to have an approach path directly over the city, which leads tonoise pollution.[12][13][14] Over 414,000 people live within a 5 km (3.1 mi) radius of the airport, the highest number among major airports in Europe.[15][16] There is an increased risk forhypertension,diabetes, anddementia among nearby residents due to exposure toultrafine particles left suspended in the air by planes.[16][15] It has consistently ranked dismally in customer satisfaction, withAirHelp polling it sixth from the last amongst 239 airports in 2024.[17] Planning of the construction of a new airport elsewhere started in the mid-1960s,[18][19] when it was recognised Portela had virtually impossible prospects of expansion.[20] Subsequently, relocation plans have been postponed or suspended for a myriad of reasons.[20][19][21] There are ongoing debates regarding staffing for border and security scrutiny, the optimization of slot attributions, and the best use of the current infrastructure.[22][23][24][25][26]
Lisbon Airport in 1951Terminal 1 check-in hallTerminal 2 check-in areaTerminal 1 arrivals areaBoarding resting area on Terminal 1Main food court on Terminal 1
The airport opened on 15 October 1942, duringWorld War II, and initially operated in conjunction with theCabo Ruivo Seaplane Base: seaplanes performed transatlantic flights, and passengers were transferred onto continental flights operating from the new airport.[27] As a neutral airport, it was open to both German and British airlines, and was a hub for smuggling people into, out of, and across Europe. It is widely referenced in the classic filmCasablanca, whose plot revolves around an escape attempt to Lisbon airport. As such, it was heavily monitored by bothAxis andAllied spies. Although Portugal was neutral, the airport was used by allied flights en route toGibraltar,North Africa andCairo.[28]
At the end of the war the airport developed rapidly, and by 1946 was used by major airlines such asAir France,British European Airways,Iberia,KLM,Sabena,Pan Am andTrans World Airlines.[citation needed] By 1954 the number of passengers reached 100,000.[28] A 1951–1952 airport diagram shows four runways laid out at 45-degree angles: 1,350 m (4,429 ft) Runway 5, 1,024 m (3,360 ft) Runway 9, 1,203 m (3,947 ft) Runway 14, and 1,170 m (3,839 ft) Runway 18. Runways 5 and 36 were each later extended northward to a length of 1,999 m (6,558 ft).[29] Major upgrades from 1959 to 1962 included a new runway capable of handling the first generation of jets, such as theBoeing 707 andDouglas DC-8.[28] The first jet aircraft flight was an Air FranceCaravelle in 1960.[28] In 1962 runway 02/20 came into use. It was 3,130 m (10,269 ft) long and would allow direct transatlantic flights.[28] The first direct flight to New York was operated by TWA with a Boeing 707, who later operated the first Boeing 747 service in 1970.[28] When TAP ordered the 747 in 1972, five large parking bays were built, and the terminal was enlarged.[28] A major upgrade to the buildings and facilities commenced in 1983, and the first air bridges were added in 1991.[28]
Along with the airports in Porto, Faro, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria, Horta, Flores, Madeira, and Porto Santo, the airport's concessions to provide support to civil aviation were conceded toANA Aeroportos de Portugal on 18 December 1998, under provisions of decree 404/98. With this concession, ANA became responsible for the planning, development and construction of future infrastructure.[30]
The construction of Terminal 2 was concluded and operational since August 2007. Expansion of Terminal 1 with new boarding gates was concluded in 2011. A large new shopping and restaurant area, new airbridges and parking positions, a more efficient use of currently existing structures, and a new undergroundLisbon Metro station were inaugurated in July 2012.[citation needed] In October 2010,easyJet opened a new base at Lisbon Airport, using Terminal 2 for departures. In 2022, the airline moved to Terminal 1.[31][32]
Between 2007 and 2013, Lisbon Airport underwent several structural and equipment improvements and expansions. These included the construction of Terminal 2, lighting and baggage claim refurbishment, new cargo facilities, fuel storage, north pier and boarding lounge, north bus gate and baggage claim, enlargement of express cargo facilities, electrical refurbishments, departure lounge refurbishments and underground station and other terminal improvements all of which have been completed.[33] In July 2013, a new commercial area was inaugurated in the Terminal 1 air side area with 20 new stores and spacious naturally lighted internal circulation areas.[34][35]
In July 2015, a significantly largerfood court was introduced, catering to more tastes and delicacies.[36][37][38][39]
In January 2019, Portugal's government unveiled a €1.1 billion plan to expand the airport.[40] Although the airport is at capacity, the expansion faces opposition due to impacts on pollution and noise.[41] Construction began in December 2024 on the expansion of Terminal 1, with 10 newjet bridges and more space forapron.[42] The expansion project is expected to be completed by 2027 and increase the airport's capacity to receive up to 50 million passengers per year.[43]
Initially, the airport was to be replaced by theOta Airport, a planned airport inOta, a village 50 km (31 mi) north of Lisbon. In 2007, an independent study coordinated by the Portuguese Industry Confederation (CIP) suggested a site inAlcochete Municipality as an alternative location. The site is occupied by a military training facility, which would be moved to another location. A second government-contracted study led by theNational Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC)[46] concluded in late 2007 that Alcochete was the best location. The selection of Alcochete was announced on 10 January 2008, more than 35 years after the first capacity increase studies were initiated. The Portuguese government announced that Alcochete was the preliminary choice, to be finalised after public consultation.[47][48] The location of Alcochete as the construction site of the future Lisbon Airport was confirmed by the government on 8 May 2008,[49] but the contract was shelved as part of Portugal's cost-cutting austerity measures, and completely dismissed from Portugal's transportation strategy plans in July 2013, with investment being concentrated on expanding and further improving the existing Lisbon Airport infrastructure.[50]
In February 2015, Lisbon city council unanimously agreed to propose that the name of Lisbon International Airport, known as Portela due to its geographical location, be changed to Humberto Delgado Airport. The proposal, tabled by the Socialist leadership under former MayorAntónio Costa, was agreed to by councillors from across party lines.[51][52]
The Portuguese government under then Prime Minister António Costa, announced in February 2016 that Lisbon Portela Airport would be renamed on 15 May 2016 afterHumberto Delgado, in memory of the late Portuguese air force general and famous politician. "He was an opposition figure to thedictatorship regime... and had a very important role in the field of civil aviation," Minister of Planning and InfrastructurePedro Marques said at a press conference after the meeting of Council of Ministers, stressing that it was Humberto Delgado who presided over the foundation of Portugal's flagship airlineTAP and "so it is very fair this assignment name to the airport". 2016 marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of Humberto Delgado, who was also known as the "Fearless General" due to his staunch opposition toSalazar's rule and his participation in the1958 Portuguese presidential election.[53]
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport features two passenger terminal buildings:[54]
Terminal 2 is used by six scheduled low-cost flight airlines for departures to European destinations, while Terminal 1 handles all arrivals and regular scheduled and chartered flights. A free shuttle bus connects the two and runs every ten minutes.[55]
Terminal 1 is the main building and features large landside and airside areas containing several shops and service facilities. It consists of two check-in halls: the older one has been converted intoTAP Air Portugal's self check-in area, and the newer one housing 68 desks (37–89 and 90–106). The joint departures area features 47 gates (17 of which are equipped with jet-bridges) with 21 of them designated to non-Schengen destinations.[54] As the airport features several more apron stands, bus boarding is often used here. Most airlines use Terminal 1, including TAP Air Portugal, itsStar Alliance partners,Oneworld andSkyTeam members, and, exceptionally,easyJet.
Terminal 2 is the much smaller, newer of the two terminals in the airport, used exclusively by low-cost carriers. It is located away from Terminal 1 on the southern border of the airport perimeter. It has 22 check-in desks (201–222), designated to each particular low-cost carrier, and 10 departure gates (201–207 Schengen and 210-212 Non Schengen. ) using mainly walk boarding but also bus. There are only standard facilities, a few shops and service counters. The terminal is reachable via the free airport shuttle service from Terminal 1.[54] The users of Terminal 2 areRyanair,Wizz Air,Transavia,Transavia France,Vueling,Eurowings,Norwegian Air Shuttle andVolotea.
Trains to all parts of the country are available atGare do Oriente station, the main train station in Lisbon. The airport connects to the station via metro in approximately 10 minutes. Alternatively travelers can take the bus to the station, albeit with slightly longer travel times.[120]
Terminal 1 front with subway station entryMetro de Lisboa station at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
AeroportoMetro station lies at the Southern edge of the Terminal 1 arrivals area. The Aeroporto Saldanha line takes approximately 20 minutes to reach downtown Lisbon. To use the metro, passengers can purchase a 7 Colinas/Viva Viagem card, which can be topped up and used on the metro and bus network.[120] Alternatively, contactless payment is accepted at the metro gates, but this is not valid on other modes of transport in the city.[121]
Carris city buses stop at the airport arrivals section, and connect toMarquis of Pombal Square, andAmoreiras. Night routes run to downtownBaixa, as well asCais do Sodré andGare do Oriente train stations. City buses have a maximum luggage size of 50 cm × 40 cm × 20 cm (19.7 in × 15.7 in × 7.9 in). Travelers with larger luggage must take the aerobus or airport shuttle.[120]
Lisbon city taxis are readily available 24 hours a day outside the arrival and departure areas of the airport.[120] A trip to Lisbon city centre by taxi takes approximately 15 minutes.[123]
The airport is easily accessible by several major highways and main roads. ANA operates several covered and open parking areas.[124]Valet service, car hire, and chauffeurlimousine services are also available.[125]
Two bicycle paths connect the airport roundabout, situated 300 m south of Terminal 1 to the city's 70 km cycle infrastructure network.[126] One path heads west along Av. do Brasil to theUniversity of Lisbon main campus, passing through the central neighbourhoods ofAlvalade,Campo Grande andEntrecampos and connecting with other paths to Telheiras,Colégio Militar,Benfica, andMonsanto Forest Park. The other bicycle path heads east from the roundabout towardsOlivais,Gare do Oriente train station andParque das Nações Expo 98 site, connecting with the riverside bicycle path Southwards along Lisbon harbour toSanta Apolónia train station, cruise ship and ferry terminals, and the historic centre, and north to the Caminho do Tejo pilgrimage trail toFátima andSantiago de Compostela.
TAP Air Portugal has a complex at Lisbon Airport housing many head offices and the TAP Museum Archives, where visitors can make appointments to view materials including photographs, advertising material, flight logs and manuals.[127] The complex is 22.45 hectares (55+1⁄2 acres) in area. In 1989 TAP became the owner of the complex due to a governmental decree.[128] TAP's head office is in Building 25.[129] The TAP subsidiaryServiços Portugueses de Handling, S.A. (SPdH) has its head office on the 6th floor of Building 25.[130]Sociedade de Gestão e Serviços, S.A. (TAPGER), another TAP subsidiary, has its head office on the 8th floor of the same building.[131] Building 19 has the head office of Sociedade de Serviços e Engenharia Informática, S.A. (Megasis), a TAP information services subsidiary.[132][133] The TAP documentation and archive is in the annex of Building 19.[134] Building 34, on the far north side of the complex, houses the company's new data processing centre.[135]
ANA Aeroportos de Portugal has its head office in Building 120.[136] Portugália has its head office in Building 70.[137] The TAP catering subsidiary, Catering de Portugal, S.A. (CATERINGPOR), has its head office in Building 59.[138] Cuidados Integrados de Saúde, S.A. (UCS) is based out of Building 35.[139]
On 30 May 1961,Viasa Flight 897, aKLM-operatedcharter flight on the third leg (Lisbon–Santa Maria) of an international passenger flight betweenRome–Fiumicino andCaracas, entered a steep dive a few minutes after take-off from Lisbon Airport and crashed into theAtlantic Ocean off the coast ofFonte da Telha beach, killing all 61 occupants (47 passengers and 14 crew members).
^ab[1] Movement of passengers at national airports increased 4.3% in 2024 - December 2024, INE - National Institute of Statistics, Retrieved 14.02.2025.
^ab[2] de Abreu e Silva, Joao & Gonçalves, Jorge & Correia, Marcos & Marreiros, Susana. (2015). Airport Planning Process. The case of the New Lisbon Airport. Finisterra. 99. 63-79.
^ab[3] Maria R. Partidário, Miguel Coutinho, The Lisbon new international airport: The story of a decision-making process and the role of Strategic Environmental Assessment, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 31, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 360-367, ISSN 0195-9255.
^ab[9] Soltrópico's offer grows in 2025 and Egotravel will have ‘the biggest operation ever’ to Djerba, says Gonçalo Palma, Turisver, consulted in 18.07.2025, (in Portuguese).
^"Lisboa Ciclável".lisboaciclavel.cm-lisboa.pt.Archived from the original on 17 September 2015. Retrieved8 October 2015.
^Portugal, TAP."Museum".flytap.com.Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved14 June 2017.
^Gomes, Adelina and Inês Sequeira.Público. 19 December 2005. Retrieved on 15 December 2011. "Área do aeroporto de Lisboa vale 965 milhões de eurosArchived 6 April 2012 at theWayback Machine." "Em 1989, a companhia aérea tornou-se titular dos terrenos onde tem as suas instalações, devido a um decreto-lei em que o Governo cavaquista desanexou os 22,45 hectares do chamado "reduto TAP" do domínio público aeroportuário."
^"Estatutos TAPArchived 23 December 2009 at theWayback Machine." TAP Portugal. Retrieved on 23 February 2010. "A sede da sociedade é em Lisboa, no Edificio 25, no Aeroporto de Lisboa."
^"Annual Report 2010Archived 19 January 2012 at theWayback Machine." TAP Portugal. 92. Retrieved on 15 December 2011. "Registered Office Aeroporto de Lisboa, Reduto TAP, Edifício 19"
^"Viagem ao novo Centro de Processamento de dadoArchived 26 April 2012 at theWayback Machine."Jornal TAP,TAP Portugal. December 2009, No. 72. p. 6. Retrieved on 15 December 2011. "Edifício 34, no extremo norte do reduto TAP. Uma construção aparentemente banal, de paredes frágeis. É essa a visão com que se depara, do exterior, o visitante do novo Centro de Processamento de Dados da empresa, o CPD2."
^"2009 Annual ReportArchived 4 March 2016 at theWayback Machine." TAP Portugal. 96. Retrieved on 15 December 2011. "Aeroporto de Lisboa Edifício 35 Apartado 8426 1804–001 Lisboa"
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Funchal
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Madrid
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Amsterdam
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
Lisbon topics
Media from Commons
Travel guides from Wikivoyage
Data from Wikidata
