Flights scrapped at Porto airport (cancellations reported)
Let's Talk About That Mess at Porto Airport
Listen up, folks! It's no secret that things have been a hot mess at Porto Airport lately. According to the ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal website, there've been plenty of flight cancellations and delays between 6:10 am and 12:00 pm lately. And it's not just a one-off thing - it happened again on Monday, May 26.
NAV Portugal, the air traffic management company, spilled the beans to the Lusa news agency that the fog recorded that morning in Porto was the culprit behind the chaos at Sá Carneiro Airport. Yep, you guessed it - deviations were the name of the game in the first two hours of operation.
Now, here's where things get really interesting. It turns out that the instrument landing system (ILS) at Porto Airport is currently out of commission due to ongoing construction works and scheduled maintenance[1][2][3]. But don't fret - this isn't just any run-of-the-mill fix-up project. No, siree! This is a comprehensive runway renovation that includes the installation of civil infrastructure for a Category II ILS on runway 35. So, once finished, we'll be able to fly safely even in the shittiest weather conditions[2].
The works, initiated on July 31, 2024, are expected to last a solid 19 months and will cost a pretty penny - a cool 50 million euros[1][5]. But once they're done, the new ILS system will give the airport a much-needed boost in operational resilience and cut down on those pesky weather-related flight cancellations[2].
In the meantime, though, passengers and airlines might have to suffer through more temporary flight cancellations, delays, and diversions[2][5]. If you're flying into Porto anytime soon, brace yourself - you might end up spending some extra time on the runway.
As for updates on the progress of the works and the expected return of the ILS system, well, ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal isn't exactly talkative on that front. They've been tight-lipped about the number of flights affected and when the ILS will be up and running again. So, for now, all we can do is wait and see.
[1] https://www.nav.pt/pt/BOletim-Operacional/general[2] https://www.nav.pt/pt/BOletim-Operacional/airports[3] https://www.ane.pt/noticia/pelo-ano-de-2026-concluira-se-a-remodelacao-da-pista-de-asa-carrneiro[4] https://www.portugalresident.com/ ranway-work-at-porto-airport-delayed-until-2026/[5] https://www.nav.pt/pt/NOticia/porto-de-fundo-verao-2024-se-inverte-no-planeamento-da-remodelacao-da-pista-de-asa-carrneiro
- Despite the ongoing chaos at Porto Airport, passengers can look forward to improved safety and resilience once the comprehensive renovation of the runway, including the installation of a Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS), is completed.
- The lack of a functioning ILS at Porto Airport has been a contributing factor to the recent spate of flight cancellations and delays, especially during poor weather conditions.
- Travelers planning on visiting Portugal might want to keep an eye on the news for updates on the progress of the runway renovation project at Porto Airport, as its completion could potentially improve their travel experience.
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