AIRPORT REVIEW
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who tragically died in a plane crash . Its expansion is most noticeable in the 2006 construction of a new terminal that can accommodate more than 20 million travelers annually , underlining the airport ’ s readiness to meet the demands of the future .
BY THE NUMBERS
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For both locals and tourists , the airport ’ s proximity to Porto ’ s vibrant city center is a huge plus . Porto Airport , as it is often called , helps fuel the region ’ s economy , driven by industries like wine production , textiles , and tech . And it is a gateway to the Douro Valley , a UNESCO World Heritage site known for stunning landscapes and a rich wine heritage . This dual role — supporting both business and tourism — cements OPO ’ s place as a key player in the region ’ s transport network .
In 1990 , the airport was renamed for Francisco de Sá Carneiro , a former Portuguese Prime Minister
2 The main hall of Porto ’ s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport features an open , functional layout with clear signage , fast check-in kiosks , and easy access to gates .
Last year , Porto Airport achieved a milestone : 15 million passengers passed through it in a single year , a record for the facility and a 16 % increase in passenger traffic over 2019 pre-pandemic levels , and 20 % over 2022 , making OPO one of the fastestgrowing airports in Europe .
On the same day it greeted its 15 millionth passenger , who arrived from Istanbul via Turkish Airlines ( TK ), Porto Airport celebrated another milestone . A TAP Air Portugal ( TP ) flight from New York marked the airport ’ s 100,000th landing of the year — a new annual record for arrivals and departures .
Porto Airport has expanded its network of direct connections and made considerable strides in intercontinental traffic , its passenger numbers jumping 51 % over the previous year . The new longhaul offerings include flights to Boston ( BOS ), New York ( JFK ), and Toronto ( YYZ ), operated by Azores Airlines ( S4 ).
38 AIRWAYS MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2024 www . airwaysmag . com