The Minister of Infrastructure announced Thursday that flights from Humberto Delgado Airport, in Lisbon, between 1am and 5am, following conclusions from the working group on night flights, will be prohibited.
“The working group on night flights (in Lisbon) has already concluded and I can announce here that we are going to implement a ‘hard curfew’ (restrictions) that will prevent flights between 1:00 am and 5:00 am”, said the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, during a hearing in the Assembly of the Republic, within the scope of the assessment, in particular, of the State Budget proposal for 2025.
The government official, who responded to deputy Isabel Mendes Lopes, from Livre, considered that this was “a gigantic step” in relation to what is currently happening.
Miguel Pinto Luz recalled the criticisms of municipalities, mayors and citizens in relation to the noise caused by the circulation of planes, as well as in relation to pollution, and reiterated the Government’s objective.
On Wednesday, around three dozen residents of neighborhoods in Lisbon and Loures affected by the noise and pollution caused by Lisbon airport demonstrated at the end of the day near the airport structure demanding, among others, the right to rest.
The protest, organized by the platform “Airport out, Lisbon improves”, brought together citizens from the neighborhoods of Areeiro, Alvalade, Campolide, Campo de Ourique, Camarate, Lumiar, São João da Talha, who with posters and slogans shouted against the inaction of authorities.
Near the exit of the Airport metro station, citizens demanded the end of night flights, the non-expansion and closure of the airport, in addition to the urgent construction of the new Lisbon airport outside the city and a new green lung in the city.
In September, the executive of the Lisbon City Council unanimously approved a motion in which it defends the reduction of the number of movements per hour at Humberto Delgado Airport and refuses any increase in airport capacity.
According to a 2004 ordinance, a maximum of 91 weekly and 26 daily air movements is established between 00:00 and 06:00.
That ordinance also establishes that the authorization of air movements during the night is subject to the noise levels of the aircraft used.
The environmental association Zero has repeatedly reported violations of the established limits.
Source: expresso.pt
