Lisbon Airport is set to prohibit night flights in response to years of complaints and protests from local residents. The announcement, made by Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, during a parliamentary session, has been hailed as a “giant step forward.”
“Hard Curfew” to Be Implemented
Minister Pinto Luz outlined plans for a strict curfew that will ban flights between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., aiming to address ongoing issues related to noise pollution and quality of life for nearby residents.
“We are introducing a ‘hard curfew’ that will prohibit flights during the early morning hours,” he stated.
Currently, authorities limit the number of night flights to 92 per week. However, data from the environmental NGO Zero suggests that this quota is often exceeded, with approximately 160 flights operating during restricted hours each week.
Impact on Residents
The noise and disruption caused by night flights have reportedly affected between 300,000 and 380,000 residents, according to Zero. Advocates emphasize that these individuals have a “right to rest” and suffer from sleep disturbances, interrupted activities, exposure to aircraft fuel odors, and health issues such as hypertension.
“Night flights lead to poor sleep, disrupted schedules, missed medical appointments, and a host of other problems,” said a spokesperson for the organization.
Calls for Broader Action
While banning night flights is a significant move, critics argue that it is not enough. Many are calling for the airport to be relocated or, at the very least, for plans to expand it to be abandoned.
Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport, located just 7 km northeast of the capital, serves as both a domestic and international hub but has faced increasing criticism for its aging infrastructure. The proposed renovations, estimated to cost €300 million and take three years to complete, are unlikely to resolve the broader concerns of residents and environmental advocates.
