The July 2026 schedule targets construction from 2029 to 2033. Before works can begin, the environmental decision, acceptance of the complete application, financing and the release of the firing-range land (scheduled in phases by 2029) are needed. When contracts are signed and works begin, they will be recorded here with dated, sourced updates.
Scheduled construction steps
- 2026
Event (happened)
Replacement firing range announced in Alter do Chão
Ministry of National Defence announces the location of the replacement military firing range.
Event (happened)
Demilitarisation spending authorised (RCM 119/2026)
Up to €4.5 million plus VAT authorised for demilitarisation work at the firing range.
- Today — 19 October 2026
- 2029
Scheduled target
Construction start target
Construction to begin, per the July 2026 schedule.
Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government)
Scheduled target
Firing-range land released for the airport
Phased release of the area needed for the airport.
- 2030
Superseded
First runway target (2024 plan)
May 2024 target for the first runway; superseded by the July 2026 schedule.
Source: Portuguese Government (XXIV Constitutional Government)
- 2031
Superseded
Second runway target (2024 plan)
May 2024 target for the second runway; superseded.
Source: Portuguese Government (XXIV Constitutional Government)
- 2033
Scheduled target
Construction completion target
Construction to be completed by 2033, before tests and certification.
Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government)
Solid markers are events that have happened. Hollow markers are scheduled targets or deadlines: they are not guaranteed. Superseded targets are labelled and can be hidden or shown with the filters.
The approval path: done, under review, still to come
- 14 May 2024Site chosen by Council of Ministers resolutionDone
- 16 July 2025Interim report 1: stakeholder consultationDone
- 20 March 2026Placement at the eastern end validatedDone
- 16 July 2026Technical report deliveredDone
- 31 July 2026Environmental impact study delivered to APADone
- 28 September 2026Government questions the design (not an acceptance)Under review
- 16 January 2027Interim report 4: financial report dueScheduled
- by 16 January 2028Complete application dueScheduled
- —Public consultation and environmental decision (APA)No date set
- —Acceptance of the complete application under the concessionNo date set
- 2029Construction (target 2029–2033)Target only
- from 2035Opening (target: from 2035)Target only
A Portuguese Marine during a bilateral exercise at the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete on 14 January 2020 — the site's current military use, which must end before construction. U.S. Marine Corps photo.
“Wild Crocodile II (6051342)”, author: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kenny Gomez, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized to 1,600 px wide.
.jpg){kind=link}
What the documents say
- Status: Target / forecast Target
Construction should start in 2029 and be completed by 2033, according to the schedule presented in July 2026.
Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government) Details and history: Construction planned from 2029 to 2033
Open questions
Which designers, architects and contractors have been appointed?
Open
Why it matters
Named firms and contracts are the first concrete sign that design and construction are moving from proposal to delivery.
What is known so far
ANA says a multidisciplinary team of more than 250 people works on the project. No design or construction contracts were identified in the sources reviewed.