Airports in Portugal are seeing strong momentum in early 2026, with Porto and Funchal recording faster growth than Lisbon despite the capital remaining the country’s busiest hub. Passenger traffic across the aviation sector rose 3.7 percent in the first two months of the year, reaching a total of 8.9 million travelers and signaling renewed strength in travel demand.
Data from the National Institute of Statistics shows that average daily arrivals hit a record 81,200 passengers in February, surpassing previous highs set earlier in the year and during the same period in 2025. This steady rise reflects increasing tourism flows and improved connectivity across key destinations in the country.
Lisbon Airport continues to dominate in absolute numbers, handling 4.9 million passengers and accounting for more than half of total traffic. However, its growth rate stood at 3.4 percent, lower than that of other major airports. In contrast, Porto Airport recorded the strongest increase, with traffic rising 7.7 percent to 2.1 million passengers.
Meanwhile, Funchal Airport in Madeira saw a 5.1 percent increase, allowing it to overtake Faro in total passenger numbers. Faro Airport experienced a decline of 1.9 percent, reflecting softer demand in the Algarve compared to other regions.
The figures highlight a shift in travel patterns, with regional airports gaining ground as tourism diversifies beyond traditional hotspots. As growth continues, the performance of Porto and Funchal underscores the expanding role of secondary hubs in supporting Portugal’s aviation and tourism sectors.
