Have you read that Montijo Airport would open in 2026? That’s false. The original project was abandoned and replaced by a far more ambitious airport at Alcochete, named Luís de Camões, which isn’t expected to open before 2034 at the earliest. If you’re planning a trip to Portugal in 2026, your only gateway remains Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS). This guide covers everything that’s changed, what to actually expect, and how to optimize your arrival in Lisbon.
1. Montijo Abandoned: What Actually Happened
From Montijo to Alcochete: The New Airport Saga
The environmental permit for the original Montijo project, granted in January 2020, expired in January 2024. Portugal’s Environmental Agency (APA) rejected ANA-Vinci’s renewal request, citing growing environmental concerns and an unfavorable opinion from the Institute for Nature Conservation, according to Wikipedia.
In May 2024, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced that the government had chosen Alcochete, on the south bank of the Tagus estuary, for the new airport named Luís de Camões after the great 16th-century Portuguese poet. According to L’Écho Touristique, this new airport « will completely replace » the current Humberto Delgado.
Expected Timeline
- Phase 1 environmental report (ANA → government): Jan–Feb 2026 ✓
- Full Environmental Impact Assessment: July 2026
- Final ANA report: January 2028 (latest)
- Construction start: after 2028
- Official opening: 2034 (government target) – 2037 (ANA scenario)
2. Flights to Lisbon in 2026: Nothing Changes
387 Weekly Flights from France Alone
In 2026, all flights land at Humberto Delgado (LIS). According to Momondo, 387 flights operate weekly on the France–Lisbon route, about 55 flights per day. From Paris CDG, TAP Air Portugal (47/week), Air France (24), Transavia (24), Ryanair (7), easyJet and Vueling (7 each) all offer direct services.
Lisbon is also directly accessible from Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Marseille, Nice, Toulouse, Montpellier and Rennes. Major European hubs like London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Madrid offer even more connections.
3. Which Airlines for the Future Airport?
Since Luís de Camões Airport won’t open before 2034, no airline is officially confirmed. However, scenarios discussed before Montijo’s cancellation offer clues about the future layout.
Low-cost flights from Ryanair, easyJet, and Vueling were planned to be fully transferred to the new airport, according to Aeroin. The May 2024 decision changed this: Luís de Camões will fully replace Humberto Delgado, meaning all airlines will have to transfer their entire operations, per Wikipedia.
4. Humberto Delgado vs Luís de Camões: The Comparison
| Criteria | Humberto Delgado (current) | Luís de Camões (future) |
|---|---|---|
| IATA Code | LIS | Not assigned |
| Distance to city center | 7 km | ~40 km |
| Passengers (2024) | 35+ million | — |
| Planned capacity | ~22M/year (saturated) | 100 million/year by 2050 |
| Runways | 1 | 2 (expandable to 4) |
| Metro access | Yes (Red Line) | Not yet planned |
| Satisfaction ranking | 6th worst globally (AirHelp 2024) | — |
| Construction cost | — | Up to €9 billion |
Humberto Delgado handled over 35 million passengers in 2024, making it Europe’s 12th busiest airport and the busiest single-runway airport on the continent, according to Airport Information.
5. Getting from the Airport to Lisbon City Center (2026)
Transport Options from Humberto Delgado (LIS)
In 2026, the metro (Red Line) remains the most practical and affordable way to reach central Lisbon. A ticket costs €1.90 (€1.72 with a rechargeable Viva Viagem card), with a 20–30 minute ride to the city center, according to Vanupied.
Key Tips
- Low-cost airlines (easyJet, Ryanair, Transavia) operate from Terminal 2
- A free shuttle connects T1 and T2 every 10 minutes
- Metro only serves T1 — allow 15–20 extra minutes if arriving at T2
6. Controversies: Why the Project Is Debated
The choice of Alcochete sparks heated debate on environmental and logistical fronts.
The Tagus Estuary Under Threat
The flight paths of the two planned runways overlap with bird migration corridors between the Tagus and Sado estuaries. According to Público, the government admits the environmental assessment is « one of the biggest challenges » of the project.
Flood Risk
A TVI investigation revealed the infrastructure is planned on high flood-risk land, per Executive Digest. During recent floods, the road to the site was submerged for 11 days.
7. Practical Tips for Your Portugal Trip
- In 2026, your only airport is Humberto Delgado (LIS) — the IATA code hasn’t changed
- Any ticket or offer mentioning « Montijo » in 2026 is either an error or a scam
- Book about 6 weeks in advance for the best fares
- The airport is ranked 6th worst globally by AirHelp — be patient with queues
8. What to Do in Lisbon While You Wait
- Alfama District — medieval alleys, fado music, and breathtaking miradouros
- Belém — Tower of Belém, Jerónimos Monastery, and the famous pastéis de nata
- Sintra — Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira (day trip from Lisbon)
- Tram 28 — the iconic route through historic neighborhoods
- Time Out Market — the unmissable food hall at Cais do Sodré
To plan a full Portugal itinerary, check out our travel itineraries created by the Pixidia community.
Practical Information for Your Trip
Get up to €600 compensation for delayed, cancelled or overbooked flights to Lisbon.
Free if no compensationStay connected from landing in Lisbon. Unlimited data, instant activation.
From €4.50Nomad Insurance: global coverage from $56/4 weeks. 10% off via our link.
From $56 / 4 weeksFrequently Asked Questions
Is Montijo Airport opening in 2026?
No. The original Montijo project was permanently abandoned in 2024 after its environmental permit expired. The Portuguese government chose Alcochete for the new Luís de Camões Airport, estimated to open between 2034 and 2037. In 2026, all flights use Humberto Delgado Airport (IATA: LIS).
Which airport to use for Lisbon in 2026?
The only operational airport for Lisbon in 2026 is Humberto Delgado (LIS), located just 7 km from the city center. It is served by metro (Red Line), Aerobus shuttles, and taxis.
When will Lisbon’s new airport open?
Luís de Camões Airport at Alcochete should open in 2034 per the government’s target, but sources like The Portugal News indicate a likely slip to 2037. As of April 2026, construction hasn’t started — the full Environmental Impact Assessment is due July 2026.
How to get from Lisbon airport to the city center?
The metro (Red Line) connects the airport to the city center in 20–30 minutes for €1.90. Taxis cost about €15–20. The Aerobus runs shuttles for €4. Note: low-cost airlines operate from Terminal 2, accessible via a free shuttle from T1 every 10 minutes.
Why does Lisbon need a new airport?
Humberto Delgado is saturated: designed for 22 million passengers annually, it handled over 35 million in 2024. It’s mainland Europe’s busiest single-runway airport, hemmed in by the city with 414,000 people living within 5 km. The future Luís de Camões is designed for up to 100 million passengers by 2050.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Lisbon Luís de Camões Airport — Full project history
- The Portugal News (March 2026) — Construction delays confirmed
- Momondo — France–Lisbon flight statistics
- Airport Information — Humberto Delgado data
- Público — Environmental challenges
- Bonjour Lisbonne — Complete new airport guide
Research conducted on April 9, 2026
Ready to Discover Portugal?
Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Madeira… Portugal is brimming with treasures to explore. Discover itineraries created by our community of travelers.
Explore Portugal itineraries