António Pedro Santos / Lusa
The Minister of State and Finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento
The increase in labor costs explains the upward revision of the work cost estimate. The Minister of Finance already admits the possibility of the State paying for part of the work, contradicting the Minister of Infrastructure.
The construction of the new Lisbon Airport, at Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, could cost around 9 billion eurosaccording to estimates presented by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal. This value represents an increase of 47% in relation to the R$6.1 billion initially predicted by the Independent Technical Commission, which had selected the location as the best option for the new infrastructure.
Rising costs reflect labor shortages and escalating prices in the construction sector. To mitigate the financial impact, ANA proposed to the Government to extension of the concession period of the airport in 25 years, until 2087. The measure aims to maintain competitive airport taxes, avoiding possible diversions of air traffic and protecting tourism, explains .
Although the Government initially guaranteed that the project would be financed exclusively by private funds, the Minister of Finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, admitted for the first time the possibility of public investment limited. The final decision will depend on the analysis of the report presented by ANA.
This position contrasts with previous statements by the Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, who in November assured that “not one euro” would be taken from taxpayers to finance the work. The Left Bloc has already requested the report to be delivered to the Assembly of the Republic and summoned Pinto Luz to provide clarifications on possible changes in financing.
While the new airport is not completed, Humberto Delgado Airport, in Portela, will be subject to interventions to reduce delays and minimize the use of night flights. The works, including the expansion of the runway, will require an environmental impact assessment, but the Government guarantees speed in the process.
With the document delivered to the Government, which has 30 days for analysis, ANA hopes to move forward with concrete negotiations.
The decision to build the airport in Alcochete dates back to 2008, during the government of José Sócrates, based on a study by the National Civil Engineering Laboratory. Since then, the infrastructure has been the subject of controversy and other possible locations have been debated, but it remains essential to accommodate the growing number of passengers in Lisbon.
