Portela Airport
Encyclopedia
Lisbon Portela Airport, also known as Lisbon Airport , is an international airport
International airport
An international airport is any airport that can accommodate flights from other countries and are typically equipped with customs and immigration facilities to handle these flights to and from other countries...

 located 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Castle of São Jorge in the city of Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...

, the capital of Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

. In Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...

, it is called Aeroporto de Lisboa, Aeroporto da Portela, or Aeroporto da Portela de Sacavém. It takes its name from the neighbouring parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...

 (freguesia
Freguesia
Freguesia is the Portuguese term for a secondary local administrative unit in Portugal and some of its former colonies, and a former secondary local administrative unit in Macau, roughly equivalent to an administrative parish. A freguesia is a subdivision of a concelho, the Portuguese synonym term...

) of Portela
Portela (Loures)
Portela is a Portuguese civil parish in the municipality of Loures, in the district of Lisbon .-History:In toponymic terms, Portela gets its name from two Portuguese definitions: portela is derived from a corruption of the Latin portulla or portella, which means small door or entryway, since it...

, also known as Portela de Sacavém.

The airport is the main international gateway to Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...

 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
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...

. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, 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 widely referenced in the classic Casablanca
Casablanca (film)
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...

movie, whose plot revolved around an escape attempt to Lisbon airport. As such, it was heavily monitored by both Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...

 and Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...

 spies. In 2010, the airport handled 14,035,273 passengers and 93,871 tonnes of cargo. The airport is the main base-hub of TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...

, and also for Easyjet
EasyJet
EasyJet Airline Company Limited is a British airline headquartered at London Luton Airport. It carries more passengers than any other United Kingdom-based airline, operating domestic and international scheduled services on 500 routes between 118 European, North African, and West Asian airports...

 (begins April 2012), SATA International
SATA International
SATA International is an airline based in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, Portugal...

, Luzair
Luzair
Luzair - Transportes Aéreos, S.A. is an airline based in Lisbon, Portugal, specializing in wet lease and ad-hoc charter operations. It was founded in 1997. In 2000, Luzair developed into an airline consulting and brokerage business. It operated a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar until 2009, it now operates...

, euroAtlantic Airways, Hifly
Hifly
Hi Fly is an airline with its head office in Lisbon, Portugal, which has specialised in the worldwide aircraft lease on medium to long term contracts for airlines, tour operators, governments, companies and individuals...

 , Portugália
Portugália
Portugália is a regional airline with its head office in Lisbon, Portugal, and a subsidiary of TAP Portugal. When it was an independent company its head office was in Building 70 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon...

 and White Airways. The airport is run by State-owned company ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
Aeroportos de Portugal is the Airport Authority of Portugal. The authority manages various airports including Portugal's largest airport, Lisbon-Portela. The authority has its head office in Building 120 on the grounds of the airport.-History:...

.

History

The airport was opened on October 15, 1942 during the Second World War, although Portugal was neutral the airport was used by allied flights enroute to Gibraltar, North Africa and Cairo. At the end of the war the airport developed quickly and by 1946 was used by major airlines like Air France
Air France
Air France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...

, British European Airways
British European Airways
British European Airways or British European Airways Corporation was a British airline which existed from 1946 until 1974. The airline operated European and North African routes from airports around the United Kingdom...

, Iberia
Iberia Airlines
Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A., commonly known as Iberia, is the flag carrier airline of Spain. Based in Madrid, it operates an international network of services from its main bases of Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona El Prat Airport....

, KLM, Sabena
Sabena
SABENA was the national airline of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines took over part of SABENA's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines...

, Pan Am and Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines was an American airline that existed from 1925 until it was bought out by and merged with American Airlines in 2001. It was a major domestic airline in the United States and the main U.S.-based competitor of Pan American World Airways on intercontinental routes from 1946...

 and by 1954 the number of passengers had reached 100,000. A major upgrade was started in 1959 and completed in 1962 this included a new runway capable of taking the first generation jets, Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...

 and Douglas DC-8
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...

. The first jet aircraft movement was an Air France Caravelle in 1960. In 1962 Runway 03/21 came into use, it was 3130m (10,270 ft) and would allow direct transatlantic flights. The first direct flight to New York was operated by a TWA Boeing 707 who also operated the first Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...

 service in 1970. When TAP ordered the 747, five large parking bays were built in 1972 and the terminal was enlarged. A major upgrade to the buildings and facilities was started in 1983 and the first air bridges were added in 1991.

Replacement

The airport is now completely surrounded by urban development, being one of the few airports in Europe located inside a major city. This led to a national debate on whether to keep the present location or to build a new airport, the last option was chosen. Initially, Ota
Ota (Alenquer)
Ota is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Alenquer. It has a population of 1,198 inhabitants and a total area of 46.36 km².-Ota airport:...

, a village 50 km (31.1 mi) north of Lisbon, was chosen as one of the sites for the new airport
Ota Airport
Ota Airport was the planned site for the new Lisbon airport located in Ota, 50 km north of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal from the late 90's till January 2008 when the project was aborted. There is already a small airstrip there but that was to be removed prior to construction. Completion of...

. In 2007 an independent study coordinated by the Portuguese Industry Confederation (CIP) suggested Alcochete as an alternative location (see Alcochete Airport
Alcochete Airport
New Lisbon Airport is the currently planned site for construction of a new Lisbon Airport, scheduled to replace or complement the current Portela Airport in the year 2017.-History:...

). 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) concluded in late 2007 that Alcochete was the best location.

The selection of Alcochete was announced on 10 January 2008, more than 35 years after the first capacity increase studies were initiated. Portuguese prime minister José Sócrates
José Sócrates
José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa, GCIH , commonly known by José Sócrates , is a Portuguese politician who was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 12 March 2005 to 21 June 2011....

 announced that Alcochete was the preliminary choice, to be finalised after public consultation. The location of Alcochete as the construction site of the future Lisbon Airport was confirmed by the Portuguese Government on 8 May 2008.

Interim solution

In November 2006, the company operating the airport, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
ANA Aeroportos de Portugal
Aeroportos de Portugal is the Airport Authority of Portugal. The authority manages various airports including Portugal's largest airport, Lisbon-Portela. The authority has its head office in Building 120 on the grounds of the airport.-History:...

, 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 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 in 2010.

Currently, Terminal 2 is used for scheduled domestic flights (including Madeira and Azores), while the main building (now referred to as Terminal 1) handles all international flights – scheduled and chartered. In October 2010, the European low cost airline EasyJet officially announced that it will open a new hub at Lisbon airport, exclusively using Terminal 2. This means that Terminal 2 will be used a low-cost airline terminal.

2007–2010 improvement and expansion plan

Between 2007 and 2010 several improvements and expansions have been planned. These included a new terminal 2 and lighting along with baggage claim refurbishment, all of which have been completed. Outstanding are the new cargo facilities, fuel storage, north pier and boarding lounge, north bus gate and baggage claim, enlargement of express cargo facilities, electrical refurbishments, expansion of south pier, departure lounge refurbishments and underground station and other terminal improvements.

Airlines and destinations

Note: denotes charter airlines and their destinations.

Cargo airlines

Other facilities

TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...

 has its head office in Building 25. ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal has its head office in Building 120. When Portugália
Portugália
Portugália is a regional airline with its head office in Lisbon, Portugal, and a subsidiary of TAP Portugal. When it was an independent company its head office was in Building 70 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon...

 was an independent company its head office was in Building 70.

Accidents and incidents

  • 20 August 1962: a Panair do Brasil
    Panair do Brasil
    Panair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...

     Douglas DC-8-33
    Douglas DC-8
    The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...

     registration PP-PDT flying from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão to Lisbon overran the runway into the ocean during an aborted take-off at Rio de Janeiro. Of the 105 passengers and crew aboard 15 died.
  • 24 August 2001: Air Transat Flight 236
    Air Transat Flight 236
    Air Transat Flight 236 was an Air Transat route between Toronto, Canada and Lisbon, Portugal flown by Captain Robert Piché and First Officer Dirk De Jager. On August 24, 2001, the flight ran out of fuel over the Atlantic Ocean with 306 people aboard...

    , an Airbus A330
    Airbus A330
    The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....

     registration C-GITS flying from Toronto Pearson International Airport
    Toronto Pearson International Airport
    Toronto Pearson International Airport is an international airport serving Toronto, Ontario, Canada; its metropolitan area; and the Golden Horseshoe, an urban agglomeration that is home to 8.1 million people – approximately 25% of Canada's population...

     to Lisbon Portela Airport ran out of fuel about 120 km (75 Miles) away from Lajes Field
    Lajes Field
    Lajes Field or Lajes Air Base , officially designated Air Base No. 4 , is a multi-use air field, home to the Portuguese Air Force Base Aérea Nº4 and Azores Air Zone Command , a United States Air Force detachment , and a regional air passenger terminal located near Lajes...

     then the aircraft glided and landed safely at Lajes
    Lajes
    Lajes is Portuguese for "covering of flat rock", or "flagstone", and may refer to:=*Lajes, Rio Grande do Norte*Lages, Santa Catarina , Brazil*Lajes Pintadas, Rio Grande do Norte- Archipelago of the Azores :...

    , All 306 passengers including crew members survived. Captain Robert Piché was praised by media and was celebrated as a hero.

External links


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