Plans to build a second Lisbon airport have been delivered to the government, the CEO of Airports Portugal (ANA) announced on Monday.

The plans propose redeveloping an existing air force base for commercial use. The base is located in Montijo, across the river Tagus from Lisbon.

"The next step will involve a deeper and more detailed study of every dimension of the proposal," Carlos Lacerda, CEO of ANA, told the Portuguese Lusa News Agency.

ANA, which is managed by Vinci Airports, a French-owned entity, has been commissioned by the government to find a solution to Portugal's growing airport capacity problem.

In 2016, 22.4 million passengers flew in or out of Lisbon airport, registering an 11.7 percent rise from that in 2015.

In national terms, Portugal is set to surpass 50 million annual air passengers for the first time in 2017.

Lacerda was speaking at an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Lisbon airport. Officially named as Humberto Delgado Airport, it was previously known as Portela, the name of the neighborhood in which it is located.

The urban landscape of Portela and the surrounding motorways limit the possibilities of its further expansion.

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News

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