Environmental and civic associations expressed their opposition to the expansion of Humberto Delgado Airport on Tuesday to the Mayor of Lisbon. The protest was due to noise and pollution. The protestors argued that the focus should be on expanding the railway.
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Public Meeting Highlights Concerns
In this regard, dozens of environmental associations and residents of the city of Lisbon are being heard this afternoon at an extraordinary public meeting of the municipal executive. The agenda of the meeting is to debate the effects of the increase in the capacity of Humberto Delgado Airport.
Carlos Moedas, the president of the Lisbon City Council, made a brief initial statement emphasizing that the executive supports flight limitations. However, he underscored the importance of finding a balance that also considers the needs of tourism and economic activity.
Nonetheless, the entities being heard expressed their opposition to the expansion of the airport. They warn of the consequences that are already visible, namely in terms of noise and environmental pollution.
Environmental Groups Call for Focus on Railways
The president of the League for the Protection of Nature (LPN), Pedro Amaral, stressed that increasing the supply of flights at Humberto Delgado Airport would lead to higher demand. He further warned that this would exacerbate the already negative environmental consequences of the airport’s operation.
He argued by saying,
Public funds should be channeled into rail transport.
1. Questions About Environmental Impact Declaration
In the same sense, Francisco Ferreira, the president of the Zero association, pointed out that the Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) for Lisbon airport dates back to 2006. He also noted that this declaration had originally predicted the closure of the airport infrastructure by 2015. He said.
It is unbelievable that no entity questions this
2. Calls for Abolition of Night Flights
José Rodrigues, from GEOTA (Spatial Planning and Environment Study Group), defended the total abolition of night flights. He suggested that the investment in railways is the better option. Rodrigues believes that this will make Beja Airport viable. He pointed out saying that.
It is completely feasible to travel from Beja to Lisbon by train.
3. Residents Express Concerns
In turn, several residents’ associations, such as the Residents’ Association of Alto do Lumiar and Serafina, described the negative impacts that the airport’s activity has on their daily lives, especially at night. José Almeida stated that.
We cannot endorse this extension. We also ask the Chamber and the president not to endorse this extension.
Broader Discussion on Airport Capacity
The discussion on increasing the capacity of Humberto Delgado Airport is taking place this afternoon, in the Archive Room of the Lisbon City Hall. This meeting is the result of a request from the PS.
Furthermore, according to the socialist council, around 100,000 people live in the parishes adjacent to the airport, already subject to negative impacts in terms of noise, pollution, and traffic congestion.
Moreover, at the proposal of the PS, the council invited the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the National Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (CNADS), Zero – Sustainable Land System Association, GEOTA – Study Group on Territorial Planning and Environment, the League for the Protection of Nature (LPN) and the Morar em Lisboa movement to discuss the matter.
The remaining political forces represented in the chamber – PSD/CDS, PCP, Cidadãos Por Lisboa, Livre and BE – can indicate other entities, with the Bloco having invited the civic platform Airport out, Lisbon improves.
This platform has been demanding the end of night flights and compliance with the General Noise Law since 2022.
