Government seeks to increase flights in/ out of Lisbon from 38 to 45 per hour
Quercus, one of Portugal’s most respected environmental associations, believes that the expansion of Lisbon airport will only “accentuate and worsen the city’s noise and air quality levels” (which have been effectively ‘ignored’ for years).
Beja could be the solution, says the NGO, if road access is improved and railway connections from Lisbon to the Alentejo are strengthened.
In a statement released today, Quercus points out that “there is an urgent need to invest in the railway and the reuse of Beja airport” – not least to save the health (well-being and ultimately lives) of people living under the flight paths.
In May this year, the government approved the construction of a new airport in Alcochete, within the Lisbon region, and expansion of the current one, with more flights per hour, until the Alcochete infrastructure is built.
But in its statement, Quercus argues that the transition phase should not further jeopardise the health of citizens, but opt for the use of Beja airport, “which is ready to be used, requiring only the completion of road access and reinforcement of rail connections from Lisbon to the Alentejo.
“The reuse of Beja Airport is the right option”, stresses Quercus. It would make it possible to reduce the current 220,000 movements and 33 million passengers per year of Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado airport, “which is clearly in an illegal situation because it is outside the conditions imposed by the current licence (maximum 180,000 movements per year and 16 million passengers)”, Quercus president Alexandra Azevedo adds.
End short flights and private jets
Quercus is also advocating for an end to flights of less than 500/ 600 kms, to be replaced by high-speed rail.
The NGO equally seeks to limit the Lisbon-Tires (Cascais)/Tires-Lisbon route by private jet, and strongly restrict flights by private jet in general, taking into account that these have “a carbon footprint outside any standard of environmental sustainability’.
“The population of the city of Lisbon cannot continue to be sacrificed in terms of their well-being due to exposure to noise and emissions of gaseous pollutants from Humberto Delgado Airport, which will intensify if the airport is expanded”, summarises the NGO, adding that any expansion will require an Environmental Impact Assessment process.
Source: LUSA
