Humberto Delgado Airport, in Lisbon, will close for works to extend the runway from January 6 to June, between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am. Announcement was made by Easyjet which has to make adjustments.
Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport will close for runway construction between January and June from 11:30 pm to 5:30 am, the managing director of Easyjet, a low-cost airline operating on Tuesday, announced Tuesday. terminal 2. José Lopes was speaking during a press conference to present the results.
Already this afternoon, ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal confirmed the closure of the Portela runway between 23:30 and 5:30 am from January 6 to carry out works. At stake is the creation of two fast runway exits “at Humberto Delgado Airport, with a view to improving operating efficiency, achieving better flow of aircraft, reducing travel and CO2 emissions.”
This information was communicated to the airlines in advance to allow for readjustment of the offer and slots. Official source from the Ministry of Infrastructure told the Observer that the Government was informed, but away from the scenario of aircraft diversion. “They will have to adapt their schedules so that they can respect the forbidden periods, as it is today.”
Easyjet’s managing director also tells the Observer that airlines will have to readjust their flights as they cannot land or take off flights between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am. “Nobody talked about eliminating routes. At the scheduled time there was a specific route within this period. What we have been doing is adjusting. Some flights of these routes had to readjust. There is a specific route that is most affected. ” But in case of late arrivals, flights can even be diverted to other airports.
At the press conference, Easyjet’s manager admitted that these works are growing pains, as the objective of these works is to increase Portela’s capacity.
Current noise legislation already provides for restrictions on flights between midnight and 6 am, but duly substantiated and authorized exceptions are permitted.
The works involving the deactivation of one of the airport runways were already foreseen in the airport expansion project negotiated between the Government and ANA, which is also based on the development of a complementary airport in Montijo. Although this investment has received conditioned environmental green light from the Portuguese Environment Agency, the concessionaire has not yet responded to the mitigation and compensation measures proposed by this authority. ANA asked for more time than expected to comment on the environmental impact assessment. The ministry under Pedro Nuno Santos, however, separates the two processes.
“The construction work at Humberto Delgado airport is not dependent on Montijo: it is just about improving the exits of the current runway to improve its efficiency. In the end, if Montijo wasn’t built, it would be more necessary.
“I’ve been working in the industry for almost 30 years and I don’t remember seeing the airport without any work”
In conversation with the Observer, Easyjet’s managing director for Portugal did not give much importance to the topic. “It’s like when Ponto 25 de Abril or Vasco da Gama has works at night, people adjust,” he explained.
People are not affected because airlines in advance are making adjustments so that passengers are not affected, ”says José Lopes.
Although the works “affect the airport as a whole”, in the end the executive reiterates that it is with a good purpose: “It will improve the operationality of the airport as a whole”. In addition, “this is a topic that has been debated and has been discussed,” so adjustments are being taken care of.
“Fortunately, soon, here in Portela, we will be able to grow again these works are the first for this growth to come back,” said José Lopes, noting that it is normal for the airport to be under construction.
Fortunately, when the work is completed, we will improve the timeliness of existing operations, ”says Easyjet.
“If there is a delayed flight [and cover this timeframe] it will have to operate to another alternative airport, as is the case with any construction work,” explains the airline about the impact.
