Faro Airport unveils new €33m terminal

Faro Airport has completed its expansion and modernisation works, following an investment of nearly €33 million, allowing the airport to continue to grow in a sustained way.

The inauguration ceremony for Faro’s new terminal took place on 17 July and was attended by Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa; Minister of Planning and Infrastructures Pedro Marques; CEO of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports Nicolas Notebaert; and CEO of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal Carlos Lacerda.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa; Minister of Planning and Infrastructures Pedro Marques; CEO of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports Nicolas Notebaert; and CEO of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal Carlos Lacerda.

The expansion increases Faro Airport’s terminal capacity from 2,400 to 3,000 passengers per hour. The terminal has been enlarged from 81,200sqm to 93,120sqm with an increase both in the operating areas and in the public area. The retail area and food court have also been expanded and revitalised.

The works carried out include the adaptation of the capacity of the passenger terminal to a new system of lanes that allows 30 movements per hour, instead of 24, and the parking of 30 to 37 aircraft.

Moreover, the airport has responded to changes in security, by constructing new control areas, maintaining high safety standards and an adequate level of quality of service.

Faro is Portugal’s main tourist airport and plays a decisive role in the economic development of the country by serving the main tourist centres of southern Portugal and Spain. It registered the highest growth of all Portugal’s airports in 2016, with an 18.5% rise to over seven million passengers.

The modernisation programme aims to adapt the infrastructure to a new paradigm of air transportation in Portugal and throughout Europe – the increase of low-cost airlines. Faro Airport has seen an increase of low-cost traffic and, at the same time, a decrease in passengers on other types of flights. The airport states that this new reality has resulted in a new passenger profile, with new needs and that stays longer in the terminal.


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