Lisbon's development plans slow by approximately one-third
Lisbon Airspace Reorganization Yields Dramatic Delay Reductions
The implementation of a new air traffic sequencing model, the Point Merge System (PMS), by NAV Portugal, has brought about a noticeable decrease in overall delays in the Lisbon region. This groundbreaking system, introduced in May 2024, has resulted in a cumulative savings of over 200,000 minutes of delay since its full operation in July of the same year.
According to NAV Portugal, the PMS has significantly transformed the approach to Humberto Delgado Airport and the Greater Lisbon airport system. In July 2024, the month the system entered full operation, delays dropped by 25% compared to the same month in the previous year. This trend has persisted and even intensified, with reductions in delays reaching up to 38% in April 2025.
NAV Portugal asserts that the PMS's impact was immediate, and the benefits were far more significant when considering only delays directly associated with air traffic control. For instance, monthly reductions ranged from a high of 40.5% in the first month of full operation to a remarkable 91.6% in March 2025.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of NAV Portugal, Pedro Ângelo, considers the PMS as a "qualitative leap" in the management of airspace in the Lisbon region, stating that the results achieved demonstrate the industry's ability to respond to growing demand in a more efficient, predictable, and sustainable manner.
The PMS redefines traditional circular holding patterns by merging inbound flights toward a single, defined "Merge Point." This approach simplifies traffic flow and allows for continuous descents and optimized speeds, thereby enabling lateral and vertical separation of traffic flows and significantly improving airspace management.
NAV Portugal has already implemented and prepared two phases of optimization for this system. The first phase, enforceable since May 15, 2025, introduces adjustments to altitudes, speeds, and routes, with a focus on fuel efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. A second optimization package is scheduled for October 2 of the current year and aims to reinforce airspace management with new contingency waiting zones and sectoral adjustments for increased "resilience and flexibility of the air traffic control operation."
In compliance with Council of Ministers resolution no. 58/2025, NAV Portugal is collaborating with the National Civil Aviation Authority to analyze potential configurations for takeoffs in the north direction, with the primary objective of mitigating noise impact on the population through a technically viable and balanced solution between operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
This new system's success is a testament to NAV Portugal's commitment to modernize and enhance the efficiency of air traffic management in the Lisbon region.
The new Point Merge System (PMS) implemented by NAV Portugal in May 2024, not only in Lisbon Airspace but also in the Greater Lisbon airport system, has led to a significant decrease in delays, particularly associated with air traffic control. This system, which redefines traditional holding patterns, has already undergone optimization phases focusing on fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions, and a second optimization package is scheduled for October. The Chairman of NAV Portugal, Pedro Ângelo, considers the PMS as a "qualitative leap" in the industry, demonstrating the industry's ability to respond to growing demand in a more efficient, predictable, and sustainable manner, extending its benefits to sectors like finance, aerospace, and technology.
