Lisbon's Go-Around

Portugal was in desperate need for a new airport in Lisbon due to an increasing demand, but its financial crisis delayed all plans, with investment being concentrated on expanding and further improving the existing Lisbon Airport infrastructure. A few years later, the Portuguese Government sold the long-term concession of ANA (the Portuguese airports), alongside operations on their surrounding areas up until 150km, to the French group Vinci Airports at the beginning of 2013, for a value of 3.000MEUR. With this deal, it was decided that the existing Lisbon Airport would be further upgraded to surpass 22 million passengers annually and would remain the present solution for Portugal's major European gateway, reaching its maximum potential. The demand for Lisbon as a holiday (and/or permanent) destination grew steadily, and soon after, in 2017, a second airport was being discussed. Pushing the discussion ahead was Xavier Huillard, CEO of Vinci SA, that wanted to capitalise in the increased demand for Lisbon. The main questions were 1) where to place this new airport and 2) if it should be a primary or secondary airport...