Some time ago it was mentioned that there were plans to upgrade Alvor airodrome to an international airport. I think that I read that a decision was going to be made in August, does anyone know anyhing about this?

Hi Karen
I did read in the local newspaper when we were over in August that plans had been approved for a commercial airport nr Portimao. Apparently they are hoping to attract the low cost airlines

The new airport is apparently going to be where the new racing track is also going to be (or fairly close) which is near Mexilhoeira Grande, which is not far north of Alvor.

misty
quote
The new airport is apparently going to be where the new racing track is also going to be (or fairly close) which is near Mexilhoeira Grande, which is not far north of Alvor
unquote

How far forward is this misty. has any time schedule been posted yet?
thanks

Work has started on the new Autodrome near Pereira

I know that the low cost airlines go into some pretty tiny airports .....
but this suggestion looks pretty mad to me !!
The runway at Alvor is only 920 metres long. It would need to be at least 1800m and preferably 2500m to have Boeing 737 or larger aircraft operating in there. I have no idea if there is a lot of space for expansion.
I seem to recall that one end of the runway is pretty close to the main road into Alvor too ...so any new runway would need to be pushed further back.

Anyway, Faro is no where near it's capacity yet ...it has a very good long runway and plenty of space for further expansion.

So I'm not sure where this little rumour came from. I think Alvor may be safe for a while longer.

Hi Patwab

It isn't a rumour, it was in the news earlier in the year and a decision was being made in August. I believe that that decision has now been made and building work is ready to start, however, I am going over on Friday for a week so I will try to find something concrete in relation to this subject.

I'd be very interested to know what the outcome is and whether any international operators are planning to fly there. Faro airport as we all know has developed significantly over the last 15 years. It is still operating well within it's potential capacity and has a decent long runway and plenty of potential for expansion.
Paul

Looks like its true, there most likely will be a new airport built according to this article:

http://portugalresident.com/portugalres ... p?ID=19511

A new international airport is expected to be built in the western Algarve. This is one of the main priorities for Associação de Municípios Lagos-Portimão, an association recently created by the two câmaras.

The location for the new airport will be near the International Algarve Racing Circuit, at Sítio do Escampadinho, close to Mexilhoeira Grande, in Portimão. According to the project promoters, the proximity to the racing track is one of the main incentives to attract foreign investment.

The project location has already been given the green light from experts of the Instituto Nacional de Aviação Civil, Portugal’s Civil Aviation Authority. The planning for the future structure, which includes environmental and financial studies, began this month and is expected to be finished in August.

The new airport is expected to have a longer and wider runaway than Faro Airport, with almost three kilometers in length and a passenger friendly arrival and departure area. The airport will be an upgrading of the existing Municipal Aerodrome, which has a runway of only 900 metres.

As a regular flyer from Portimao International Airport, I can only say " take this report with a large dose of salt".

Taking off from runway 11 (eastbound), I already have to turn 30 degrees left immediately on take-off to avoid Monte Alvor and central Portimao - and this is flying a little Cessna!!
Similarly on approach to runway 29 (westbound), I have to stay above 600' until past the water tower with the red stripe around it and then descend sharply to land.
Imagine 747's doing this.
To provide a commercial airport on this site would require a) the removal of Monte Alvor and half of Portimao, including Barlavento Hospital which is in direct line of take-off/landing or b) extending the runway westwards across Alvor bay almost to Lagos starting from the present westerly end of the existing runway.

Am I being sceptical in doubting this report