Portugal’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and appeal, with the country’s airports collectively handling 64 million passengers in 2025.
This represents a year-on-year increase of 4.7%, reinforcing Portugal’s status as one of Europe’s most attractive travel destinations and underlining the central role aviation plays in supporting national tourism growth.
The latest figures highlight a sustained recovery in air travel following the pandemic years, driven by robust international demand and improved connectivity.
Airports in Lisbon, Porto and Faro remain the main engines of this expansion, welcoming millions of visitors and distributing tourism benefits across the country.
Lisbon Airport once again led the national network, handling 30.7 million passengers during the year. Accounting for nearly half of all air traffic in Portugal, the capital’s airport recorded a 2.9% increase compared to 2024.
As the country’s principal international gateway, Lisbon continues to attract a diverse mix of leisure and business travellers, drawn by its historic neighbourhoods, renowned cuisine and vibrant cultural scene.
The steady rise in passenger numbers reflects ongoing improvements in infrastructure and services, as well as Lisbon’s strategic position connecting Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Outside Lisbon, regional airports posted even stronger growth rates. Porto Airport welcomed 14.5 million passengers in 2025, representing a 5.9% increase from the previous year.
Faro Airport, the main gateway to the Algarve, also recorded a solid performance, handling 9.6 million passengers, up 5.7% year-on-year.
International travellers remain the backbone of Portugal’s aviation growth. In 2025, overseas visitors accounted for 83.1% of all arrivals; a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year.
European markets such as the UK, France and Germany continue to dominate, while demand from North America is steadily rising.
As passenger volumes climb, airport authorities are placing greater emphasis on sustainable growth.
Measures to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and manage capacity responsibly are being introduced across major hubs, aligning aviation expansion with Portugal’s broader environmental objectives.
With continued investment in infrastructure and sustainability, Portugal’s airports are well-positioned to support further tourism growth.
The strong performance in 2025 not only signals confidence in the sector but also indicates a positive outlook for the broader economy, as tourism remains a key driver of employment and regional development nationwide.
Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways and the Portugal Investment Owners Club, said: “While it’s no surprise more people want to come to Portugal, whether that be for a holiday or to relocate permanently, it’s always good to see these figures go up.
“More visitors means more growth for Portugal’s economy, and that’s always a good thing.
“We expect to see this number increase again in 2026.”
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