Lisbon Airport to Enforce Night Flight Ban for 4 Hours Due to Protests

Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon is set to implement a four-hour night flight ban, responding to ongoing protests from local residents. The announcement was made by Portugal’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, in parliament. The decision follows complaints about noise and pollution caused by nighttime flights.

According to reports, the measure comes after consultations with a working group addressing residents' concerns. The Minister described the ban as a “giant step forward” in addressing the ongoing criticism from municipalities and citizens.

Campaign groups, including the NGO Zero, have long accused authorities of exceeding the weekly cap on night flights. The regular limit of 92 flights is reportedly surpassed, with up to 160 night flights being operated each week.

Portugal’s airports saw record passenger numbers in 2023, handling 67.5 million passengers and 243,800 flights. This marked a significant increase from pre-pandemic figures, highlighting the country's growing tourism demand.

To cope with the surge in visitors, several cities in Portugal have introduced permanent tourist taxes. Lisbon, for instance, now charges tourists €4 per person per night for the first seven nights of their stay.

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