Recently, a group of residents gathered near Lisbon Airport to demand relief from constant noise and pollution. More than three dozen people took part in the protest. They said they can no longer live with the disruption caused by the airport. The protest was organized by Airport out, Lisbon improves which is a local group representing people from Lisbon and Loures.
Residents from areas like Areeiro, Alvalade, Campolide, Campo de Ourique, Lumiar, and São João da Talha came together to for the protest. They want authorities to take action and give them a better quality of life.
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Residents Protest At Lisbon Airport
The protestors came with signs and shouted slogans. They asked the government to stop night flights and move the airport away from residential areas. They believe that the noise of airplanes affects their health and disrupts their lives.
Ending night flights is one of their main demands because the sounds from planes landing and taking off disturb their sleep. The protesters also want the airport to be moved out of the city and rebuilt further away from neighborhoods.
The government’s plan to expand Humberto Delgado Airport is another reason for the protest. The estimated cost of this expansion is three hundered million euros. Residents think this plan is unfair and short-sighted.
They argue that spending so much money on a temporary solution is not the answer. This project will take three years to complete. Many feel the current airport should be replaced with a new one that is far from residential areas.
Lisbon Residents Main Demands At Protest
Sérgio Morais who was the protest leader explained the reasons why residents are fed up. He said the noise from the airport affects almost everything in their lives. It disrupts their sleep and make it hard to concentrate and even affects their health.
Morais said:
We demand several things, but the main one is that this airport has to move to the location of the new airport. We are residents affected by this airport and expanding is a completely scandalous thing
Morais shared data from an Independent Technical Commission showing that 300,000 to 380,000 people are affected by aircraft noise. This includes parts of Lisbon and northern neighborhoods like Camarate, Póvoa de Santa Iria, and Loures.
Morais described the specific issues residents face. People near the airport also deal with the smell of aircraft fuel. They report having higher blood pressure and more stress which they believe is linked to noise.
Morais said that because of these constant disruptions, many residents can not get a good night’s sleep. Students in these neighborhoods struggle to concentrate in school. Workers find it hard to focus on their jobs. People with health issues have trouble resting. The residents argue that this level of disruption is harmful to them.
Many locals have tried to adapt. Some have added soundproofing to their home and others try to ignore the poor air quality. Families are frustrated that they can not enjoy peace in their homes. They feel it is time for the government to step in and listen to their concerns.
Waiting For Government Response
So far, the government has not responded directly to the protest. Officials have previously said the expansion is necessary to handle the rising number of passengers passing through Lisbon Airport each year. Protesters hope that their actions will draw more attention to the issue. They want the government to consider their alternative vision for the city.
Morais and the Airport out, Lisbon improves group plan to continue their efforts. They aim to raise awareness through more protests and public discussions. They hope to gain more supporters, especially from other parts of Lisbon and surrounding areas.
