Historical timeline

Events that have happened and targets that have only been scheduled, on one line. Filter by category, kind and years. Superseded targets stay visible, labelled as such.

Facts on this page as of 18 October 2026 · Corrections

Illustration — not to scale, not the airport design

Illustration: Luís de Camões Airport Observatory (original work). About this image

How the opening date moved

20282029203020312032203320342035203620372038

May 2024 planfirst runwaysecond runway

July 2026 scheduleconstructionrail linkopening →

Reported, unverifiedopening

A revised target is a change, not by itself evidence of failure. The 2024 dates were for runways; the 2026 dates are for a certified, open airport. Data as of 18 October 2026, from the linked records. Graphic: Luís de Camões Airport Observatory (original work).

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

Scheduled dates and targets are not guarantees. Data as of 18 October 2026, from the linked records. Graphic: Luís de Camões Airport Observatory (original work).

How dates are shown

A date shown as a year (for example 2035) or as ‘from 2035’ means the source gave no more precision. Scheduled targets are not guaranteed; we record whether and when they are met.

Questions answered

When will the airport open?

The July 2026 schedule says ‘from 2035’, after construction in 2029–2033 and then tests and certification. That is a target, not a guaranteed date. A longer programme with opening in 2037 has been reported, but the observatory has not found a primary source for it.

Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government) Permalink: When will the airport open?

Did the opening date change?

Yes. In May 2024 the Government said the first runway should be built by 2030 and the second by 2031. The July 2026 schedule moved construction to 2029–2033 and opening to ‘from 2035’. The observatory records both; a revised target is a change, not by itself proof of failure.

Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government) Source: Portuguese Government (XXIV Constitutional Government) Permalink: Did the opening date change?

When does construction start?

The target is 2029. No construction contract or works authorisation had been identified at the baseline date, and the firing-range land is to be released in phases by 2029.

Source: Portuguese Government (XXV Constitutional Government) Source: ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal (VINCI Airports) Permalink: When does construction start?

Does the Government want an earlier opening?

Yes. In September 2026 it said it wanted to work with ANA to shorten timescales and bring the opening forward compared with the calendar the concessionaire currently proposes.

Source: Portuguese Government — Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Permalink: Does the Government want an earlier opening?