
| Portela Airport Lisbon Airport Aeroporto da Portela Aeroporto de Lisboa |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |||
| Website | |||
| 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).
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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).
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] The location of Alcochete as the construction site of the future Lisbon Airport was confirmed by the Portuguese Government on 8 May 2008[5]
In November 2006, the company operating the airport, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, announced an expansion plan for some airport structures, in order to respond to 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 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 and a new underground (metro) station. The plan should be completed 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. The usage of Terminal 2 as a low cost terminal was referred in the media, but no actual decision was made (it would be difficult to explain unless different fees were charged for terminal 1 and 2, not currently the case).
Terminal 1:
Terminal 2:
Source: Aeroportos de Portugal [6]
Airport information for LPPT at World Aero Data