The Minister of Infrastructure admitted this Friday that the queues at border control at Lisbon airport cause “reputational damage”, admitting that more Public Security Police officers and more capacity on the ground are needed to solve the problem.
“Those who use Humberto Delgado Airport today know that more human resources are needed, more capacity on the ground, […] we have to take into account the working conditions of these police professionals”, said, quoted by Lusa, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, who is being heard in Parliament, as part of the discussion on the specificity of the proposed State Budget for 2026 (OE2026).
The government official had been questioned by the PSD about the problems with border control at Lisbon airport, where long queues have been recorded, admitting “reputational damage” for the country.
Long queues accumulated at Humberto Delgado Airport this October after the introduction of the new border control system, for the entry and exit of extra-Shegen passengers, which is more demanding than before. There has been great and permanent pressure from the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Internal Administration for the PSP to maintain the largest number of staff operating during peak hours in border control, so that waiting lines are reduced and do not extend beyond the time considered reasonable in these situations. And also so that as many e-gates, automatic border control gates, are open as possible. An intervention group was even created, as reported by Eco.
Pinto Luz highlighted that the “problem arises from the side of human resources” and recalled that a joint order has already been drawn up with the Ministry of Internal Administration and the PSP National Command to create a permanent flow management team.
The minister also defended that “decent working conditions are needed to create the ideal solution for Humberto Delgado Airport” and said he believes that the situation will be normalized “in the coming months”.
Associations linked to tourism and airlines have already expressed concern about the queues at Lisbon airport, due to the impact of the new European Entry and Exit Control System (EES) coming into operation, with the Portuguese Hotel Association (AHP) even speaking of a possible “collapse”.
A first phase of the new European automated external border control system (Entry/Exit System [EES]) came into force on October 12th, without yet collecting biometric data from all travelers from outside the Schengen Area, which is scheduled to begin at the end of November.
Privatization yes, with maintenance of hub, employment and brand
The Minister of Infrastructure, Miguel Pinto Luz, also assured that TAP will maintain the brand and jobs in Portugal, after the partial privatization of up to 49.9% of the capital.
“The guarantee remains: the partially privatized TAP will maintain the brand and jobs in Portugal, and will continue as a central flight distribution platform”, guaranteed the Minister of Infrastructure, quoted by Lusa.
The government official highlighted that the privatization of the airline is a process that the Government wants to be “totally transparent and bulletproof” and, therefore, each step will be followed and assessed by a Special Monitoring Committee, “made up of personalities with an unassailable reputation”.
The process will also be monitored by a working group from the Assembly of the Republic, he highlighted.
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