Expansion of the “Taxiway” reinforces the importance of Porto Airport in the region and the country

ANA Aeroportos de Portugal announced today the conclusion of the expansion of the “taxiway” in Porto airport, adding 1.300 meters to the traffic lane parallel to the track, in an investment of around 31 million euros.

In a statement, quoted by Lusa, ANA, which is owned by VINCI Airports, says that “the refurbishment and expansion of the traffic lane / “taxiway’Fox” at the Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro, Porto, were completed in the end of October.

“Adding 1.300m to the traffic lane parallel to the track, including a detour that will allow for a better take-off sequence and a quick exit from the 300m track”, ANA mentions, noting that during the refurbishment work “600m of the “taxiway” were rehabilitated and new operational signalling was installed, using more than 200 Km of electrical cables”.

The investment represents a fundamental operational improvement, with an immediate positive impact for airlines and passengers. “This new aircraft traffic lane will improve the efficiency and capacity of Porto airport and therefore reinforce its importance in the region and in the country as a catalyser for economic development”, explains the company.

According to ANA, the expansion of the “taxiway” allows Porto airport to “maintain its path of sustained growth in the future”.

“In the period prior to the pandemic, Porto airport consistently achieved high levels of passenger traffic growth and is today among the best airports recovering in Portugal, with more than 60% of the traffic registered in 2019 already recovered and 76 destinations operated this Summer”, underscores the manager of national airports.

The refurbishment works, now completed, “are part of the ANA/VINCI’s strategy for the modernization of Porto airport, whose investments have already included the remodelling of the commercial area, a new security screening area, using cutting-edge technology and innovation applied to improve passenger experience”.

“Like the recent partnerships with universities to develop robotics solutions for cleaning and disinfection and the investment in biometrical solutions for the registration and boarding of passengers”, the statement says.

ANA underscores that “this continuous investment and strategy has received strong recognition from the industry, such as the recent mention of Porto airport as “highly commended” in ACI Europe Awards 2021”.

In 2020, Airport Council International distinguished Porto airport as “Best European Airport in the category 5 to 15 million passengers”. Porto airport also recently received the Clean and Safe seal from Turismo de Portugal, renewed this year, and was certified by Bureau Veritas that approves sanitary measures implemented by VINCI airports”, the statement says.