Vila do Conde, Portugal, June 16, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's infrastructure minister, Miguel Pinto Luz, said on Tuesday that “there is no longer any chaos” at Portuguese airports, adding that the increase in staff, equipment and border control systems will enable the country to face the summer “with greater peace of mind”.

“There is no longer any chaos at the airports. Security forces carrying out border controls at all airports, particularly at Lisbon, have been reinforced,” the minister said on the sidelines of the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Vila do Conde Council and Infraestruturas de Portugal for the future construction of a new road bridge over the River Ave.

Miguel Pinto Luz said that this issue regarding airports has been monitored by his ministry in coordination with the minister for internal affairs, who is leading the process, emphasising that various measures have been adopted to strengthen border controls as the months of peak tourist demand approach.

“There has been an increase in equipment and technology, and we have been monitoring the situation continuously and effectively. We believe we have the necessary and sufficient conditions to ensure a smoother summer,” he concluded.

In recent months, several passengers have reported prolonged waiting times at border controls at Portuguese airports, particularly in Lisbon, linked to the implementation of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) and a lack of human and technological resources.

The government has, however, announced an increase in the number of PSP police officers, new document checkpoints and more electronic gates (e-gates) at the main airports to reduce waiting times during the peak tourist season.

JPYG/ADB // ADB.

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