When will the public consultation on the environmental study open, and will all volumes be downloadable?
Open
Why it matters
The consultation is the public's formal chance to comment on noise, water, ecology and health impacts.
What is known so far
The study was delivered on 31 July 2026. APA's register showed no consultation dates on 18 October 2026.
Source: Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (SIAIA) Source: ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal (VINCI Airports)
What are the runways’ length, spacing, orientation and Code F design?
Open
Why it matters
Runway geometry drives noise contours, flight paths, capacity and land take.
What is known so far
Two runways are proposed. The Government asked ANA in September 2026 to demonstrate Code F compatibility. Dimensions have not been published in the sources reviewed.
Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government)
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.
What exactly does the €7.9–8.9 billion estimate include?
Open
Why it matters
Without the scope, the figure cannot be compared with earlier estimates or with the total public cost.
What is known so far
The estimate is at 2024 prices. Whether it covers land, the military relocation, rail, the Third Tagus Crossing, roads, financing costs, inflation and contingency is not stated in the sources reviewed.
Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government)
How will the project be financed, and how will airport charges be regulated?
Open
Why it matters
Passengers and airlines may pay through charges; taxpayers may be exposed if public money is involved.
What is known so far
ANA plans about €7 billion of debt and proposes progressive charge increases at Humberto Delgado in 2026–2030. The financial report is due on 16 January 2027.
Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government)
Will the rail link and roads be ready on the day the airport opens?
Open
Why it matters
An airport without its access links would push traffic onto roads not designed for it.
What is known so far
The rail target is 2034 and the airport target is 'from 2035'. They are separate projects with separate decisions; synchronisation is not guaranteed.
Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government) Source: Infraestruturas de Portugal
What methodology lies behind the 56 and 85 million passenger figures?
Open
Why it matters
Demand forecasts decide the size, cost and phasing of the airport.
What is known so far
In March 2026 the Government judged ANA's forecasts too conservative; in September it asked for alternative demand scenarios. The methodology has not been published in the sources reviewed.
Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government)
What will happen to the Humberto Delgado site after closure?
Open
Why it matters
The site is one of the largest urban land parcels in Lisbon.
What is known so far
No approved redevelopment plan was found. The observatory does not speculate about one.
Source: Diário da República Source: Portuguese Government (XXIV Constitutional Government)
Which parts of the published images are illustrative, and which images belong to older concepts?
Open
Why it matters
Concept images shape public expectations; old Alcochete or Montijo images are sometimes recirculated as if current.
What is known so far
ANA released concept images and a film in July 2026. The design is under review, so they should be read as illustrative.
When will the full text of the Government’s 28 September 2026 letter be published?
Open
Why it matters
The communiqué summarises the letter; the letter itself is the primary evidence.
What is known so far
The Government said the letter would be available on the IMT website. The observatory had not yet located it at the baseline date.
Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing
Where does the reported 2037 opening date come from?
Open
Why it matters
Two different opening years in circulation make it impossible to track delay honestly.
What is known so far
The Government's July 2026 summary says 'from 2035'. A 2037 date has been reported as the concessionaire's longer programme, but no primary document has been identified.
Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government)
Will the single-terminal design survive the review?
Open
Why it matters
Dropping a second terminal or satellite changes how the airport can grow.
What is known so far
The Government asked ANA to justify the change and present a clear scalability strategy with pre-installations for expansion.
Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing
How will airspace be restructured around civil and military traffic?
Open
Why it matters
Flight paths decide which communities are overflown.
What is known so far
Airspace restructuring is listed among preparatory actions. No airspace design has been published in the sources reviewed.
What mitigation and compensation measures does the environmental study propose?
Open
Why it matters
These measures, and any conditions APA attaches, define the airport's environmental footprint.
What is known so far
ANA says measures were identified to ensure an environmentally viable project. Their content has not been reviewed by the observatory.
How will water, fuel and power reach the airport?
Open
Why it matters
Supply networks can have their own environmental and community impacts.
What is known so far
Planning of water, fuel, electricity and telecoms supply is listed among preparatory actions; no project details were found.
Open questions
What the public record does not yet answer. When a question is answered, we keep it here with the answer and the date.
Facts on this page as of · Corrections
Illustration — not to scale, not the airport design