“I want to reassure the Portuguese, the Government’s position is clear, the airport land will not be used to pay for the new airport,” emphasized the official in Chaves, in the district of Vila Real, where a journey along the Estrada Nacional 2 (EN2) began today.
The official provided this assurance following reports that ANA Aeroportos and other entities want the sale of the Portela land, home to the current airport, to assist in funding the new airport.
Miguel Pinto Luz disclosed that the land of the current airport will be part of the Parques Cidades do Tejo for new urban development in Loures and Lisbon.
“The new airport will not have a direct contribution from the State Budget, it will be paid with the `Business Plan´ which will be presented, and ANA and Vinci have already expressed their ambition to develop it. Let’s await the final project,” he highlighted.
The minister stressed that the Government speaks with one voice and is “intransigently defending the higher interests” of the country and Portuguese citizens.
“We will not give up on our vision for the new airport,” he concluded.
Miguel Pinto began traveling the EN2 today to understand the needs of 35 municipalities from Chaves to Faro.
This initiative aims to provide a “radiography of the regions’ infrastructures” crossed by the tourist route, spanning 738 kilometers.
