Aeroportos de Portugal (ANA) is about to present to the government a proposal aimed at reformulating a significant part of the construction plan of the new Lisbon airport. The change focuses on the revision of the minimum specifications provided for in Annex 16 of the Concession Contract, signed in 2016, with the objective of adapting the project to the real needs of current aviation and reduce costs.
According to the Eco newspaper, the document will be delivered until July 17, based on a heus process to 45 entities, including airlines, public authorities and municipalities. The goal is to present a solution considered more realistic and financially sustainable for the construction of the new airport.
Ana’s executive president, Thierry Ligonnière, explained to Eco that the proposal focuses on “an integrated and optimized response” to the different views of the sector, seeking to reconcile the interests of Low Cost and premium operators.
Review the essentials to adjust the necessary
Among the proposed changes is the length revision of the two initial clues, initially designed with 4,000 meters. According to the same source, the concessionaire considers that such an extension is not necessary, since an available landmark of 3,000 meters is sufficient for most operations.
This modification, to be included in the consultation report, aims to adjust the project to expected traffic and allow a reduction in the cost of the work. With this, it is intended to mitigate the impact that a significant increase in airport rates would have on airlines and passengers.
Response to criticism and cost containment
In the initial report, delivered on January 17, Ana estimated a total cost of 8.5 billion euros for the infrastructure, at 2024 prices. This amount implied a significant increase in rates and the extension of the concession for another 30 years, by 2092.
The proposal caused resistance from the airlines and raised doubts with the government, which, according to the publication, expressed the intention of discussing “adjustments to airport specifications” and “reducing the total cost of the project”.
Less sleeves or more stairs?
One of the central points in the auscultations is the type of service expected by the operators. While low -cost companies advocate solutions that allow direct boarding on the track, traditional operators prefer infrastructures with telescopic bridges.
According to the same source, Ana aims to find a flexible model that allows us to accommodate both realities without compromising the functionality or costs of the work.
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Terminal area also under discussion
Another aspect under analysis is the global dimension of the terminal. The initial report already pointed to the need to review the planned areas, taking into account changes in the air sector and the projection of traffic growth.
As ECO writes, the answers collected throughout the auscultation process will compose a synthesis to integrate the consultation report. This document will be crucial to substantiate the proposal to change the concession contract.
Process advances only with green light from the executive
The approval of these changes depends on the acceptance by the government. If the changes to specifications are validated, Ana may advance to the elaboration of the prior study of the new infrastructure, the necessary step for the environmental impact assessment.
The executive has already stated that he wants to shorten the period provided for the delivery of the candidacy dossier, currently established until January 2028.
Concession period and rates still open
The possibility of reviewing the project’s financial model, including the prolongation of the concession and the evolution of airport rates, will remain dependent on the acceptance of the changes proposed to the original contract.
According to the base scenario of Ana continues to predict two clues with possible expansion up to four. The completion of the new Luís de Camões Airport is designed for 2037.
The project currently mobilizes teams from Vinci headquarters, international consultants and local technical structures. Thierry Ligonnière underlines that this is a “strategic project for the group”, which requires the “best available skills”.
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