Ponta Delgada Airport, in the Azores, will undergo expansion works that will “radically change” it and increase the terminal, check-in and boarding areas, among others, the president of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal revealed today.
“The works will be carried out between 2025 and 2030 in several stages. The objective, obviously, is always to keep the airport in operation. We are working on an expansion project for the airport that is already processing passengers”, the executive president of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, Thierry Ligonnière, told journalists, in the presentation of the expansion plan for that infrastructure.
The redevelopment foresees the doubling of the terminal area, which will provide Ponta Delgada airport with an additional 15,000 square meters.
The project includes increasing the check-in area, which will have “more than double the current capacity”, and the spaces at the boarding gates, security control and border control rooms.
“The first step is to free up capacity on this side where we find ourselves [atual sala VIP] to make a first capacity expansion and simultaneously working on the other terminal side. This phase starts in 2027”, he stated.
The president of the board of directors of ANA, which is part of the Vinci group, José Luís Arnaut. thanked the “availability” of the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) and highlighted the “radical change” that Ponta Delgada’s João Paulo II airport will undergo.
“This project is a radical change and is a sign of Vinci and ANA’s commitment to the Azores”, reinforced José Luís Arnaut.
Bolieiro will pay attention to meeting deadlines
In turn, the president of the Regional Government signaled the “fulfillment of the commitment” of ANA “after a fair demand” from the region regarding the need to “increase the installed capacity” of the busiest airport in the archipelago.
“We will be taking a step forward. Not in reaction, but rather in action in preparing the capacities installed in the Azores to welcome our visitors and Azoreans by air”, he highlighted.
José Manuel Boleiro also warned that the Government of the Azores will be “vigilant” regarding compliance with deadlines.
“We must be vigilant in fulfilling these commitments. The government does not dispense with an attitude of vigilance and monitoring to meet these deadlines and objectives.”
On the occasion, the executive president of ANA also highlighted that around 20 million euros have already been invested in Ponta Delgada and Horta airports.
In Ponta Delgada, interventions were carried out on the exterior facades, floors, walls and ceilings were replaced, new furniture and new signage were installed and new technologies were implemented, totaling around 10 million euros.
Horta Airport also received an investment of 10 million euros with works on the coatings and control and security areas, boarding and disembarking and commercial space.
On August 30, 2023, the president of ANA revealed that João Paulo II airport in Ponta Delgada would be expanded by 2027 by four thousand square meters, increasing 30% compared to the current area.