Short answer: Portuguese airports handled 73.75 million passengers in 2025, a record. Lisbon will gain capacity through works from 2027, and the new Luís de Camões airport is expected to open around 2037. Meanwhile, TAP is changing shareholders. Each of these changes needs trained people on the ground, and the timeline is already known.
How many passengers use Portuguese airports?
In 2025, 73.75 million, up 4.7% on 2024, according to Statistics Portugal (INE) data reported by ECO. Lisbon handled almost half. Porto grew 6.3% and Faro 5.8%.
Growth slowed in 2026. Between January and July, passenger numbers rose 2.4%. Porto was the fastest-growing airport.
When will the new Lisbon airport open?
ANA expects the Luís de Camões airport, at the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, to open around 2037. The Government wants 2035. The base design has two runways and 90 to 95 movements per hour, with room for four runways, according to the Government’s decision.
The plan ANA submitted in July 2026 puts the cost at €7.9bn to €8.9bn and construction between 2029 and 2034. The financial report is due in January 2027 and the full application in January 2028.
What changes at Humberto Delgado in the meantime?
ANA submitted the environmental study to raise capacity from 38 to 40 movements per hour. A second study, for 42 movements, is planned for early 2027, when works are due to start. More movements per hour mean more turnarounds to prepare in the same shift.
What does the TAP privatisation change?
The State will sell up to 49.9% of TAP, with 5% reserved for employees. Lufthansa and Air France-KLM submitted final offers on 30 September 2026, and the deadline to complete the sale was extended to 31 December.
The Finance Minister says EU competition approval could take 18 to 24 months, pushing completion to 2028. TAP operated 48% of flights at Lisbon in the last quarter of 2025, according to ECO, so the future of the hub matters to the whole airport.
There are also jobs beyond the airports. Lufthansa Technik is building a component repair plant in Santa Maria da Feira, with more than 700 skilled jobs expected by 2027.
Whoever the buyer, TAP holds about 25% of capacity between Europe and Brazil, according to ECO. That network underpins the Lisbon hub.
What is happening at the borders and in ground handling?
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational since 10 April 2026, according to the European Commission. In July, the PSP police reinforced border control at airports with 360 officers. ETIAS, the travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, still has no confirmed start date.
The handling licences at Lisbon, Porto and Faro can now be extended to 2028 while the tender remains undecided. We explain the case in this guide.
What timeline should you consider when choosing training?
Announced milestones for aviation in Portugal:
| Milestone | When |
|---|---|
| Vocational course starting in September 2026 (example) | 2026–2029 |
| Sale of TAP (decision to completion) | 2026–2028 |
| Handling licences at Lisbon, Porto and Faro (extension allowed) | 2026–2028 |
| Capacity works at Humberto Delgado | From early 2027 |
| ANA's full application for Luís de Camões | January 2028 |
| Construction of Luís de Camões | 2029–2034 |
| Government target for opening | 2035 |
| Opening expected by ANA | 2037 |
Sources: ANA, Portuguese Government, Observador, ECO, Lusa.
The timeline favours those who start now. A young person entering a three-year vocational course in September 2026 finishes in 2029, the year construction is expected to begin. An adult who trains in ground handling or as an FOO today reaches the job market before the Lisbon works.
Which training leads to these roles?
- For adults who want to start quickly: the Ground Handling Operations ‘Job Ready’ programme, 3 to 6 months, online and after working hours.
- For those who want to plan flights: the Flight Operations Officer License (CAA-Certified), ANAC-certified.
- For pilots in management roles: the Introduction to Cybersecurity in Aviation for Pilots.
- For young people who have finished Year 9: the Ground Handling Operations, Level 4 (TTAE) vocational course, three years.
Frequently asked questions
When will Luís de Camões airport open?
ANA expects 2037. The Government is aiming for 2035.
Who will buy TAP?
The decision lies with the Government. Lufthansa and Air France-KLM submitted final offers on 30 September 2026. Completion is expected in 2028 because of EU approval.
Will Lisbon airport grow before the new airport opens?
Yes. ANA has applied to increase capacity from 38 to 40 movements per hour, with works planned from 2027.
How many passengers used Portuguese airports in 2025?
73.75 million, according to INE, up 4.7% on 2024.
Sources
- ECO/INE, 2025 passenger traffic, 12 February 2026; July 2026, 14 September 2026
- Portuguese Government, Luís de Camões airport decision, 14 May 2024
- ECO, ANA’s plan for Luís de Camões, 22 July 2026; Lisbon environmental study, 5 June 2026
- Portuguese Government, TAP reprivatisation, 4 September 2026
- Observador, final offers for TAP, 30 September 2026; completion may slip to 2028, 8 October 2026
- ECO, the last move for TAP, 30 September 2026
- European Commission, EES go-live, 13 October 2025
- ECO, PSP reinforces airports, 19 May 2026
