en 
Speaking to Lusa, after having presented the contingency plan for the border posts of the five Portuguese airports for the period from June to September 2022, the president of the Union for the Career of Investigation and Inspection of the Foreigners and Borders Service ( SCIF-SEF), Acácio Pereira, said that the issue of queues at airports is “global, not just a Portuguese case” and in recent days there have been long “waiting times at the largest airports in the world”.
Not a true international airport
“In the case of Lisbon airport, there is a negative particularity that is the fact that it is an infrastructure that is obsolete, an infrastructure of the Estado Novo with patches and that does not suit the needs of the country at the moment. It is desirable that an infrastructure be created from scratch, but unfortunately there is a focus on criticizing and pointing out responsibilities to a service when the responsibility is collective, of the various entities and of the State itself, which until today has not been able to provide Lisbon with a true international airport”, said Acácio Pereira.
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They actually tell some true but then as usual in Portugal shove responsibilities to other entities. Impunity everywhere.
By Diogo F. from Madeira on 01 Jun 2022, 17:33
Now Blaming Estado Novo for Airport infrastructure . 48 years Portugal has been ruled by Socialists . Responsibility lies on Antonio Costa and his Government you have been in power for 32 years out of the 48 years.
By Aaron Neil Savio Noronha from Porto on 02 Jun 2022, 07:29
Those blaming the state for poor infrastructure at the airport are wide of the mark. ANA, owned by Vinci, a French company, has responsibility for the airport and its efficient functioning. The current undermanning is down to SEF whose management have zero interest in providing a top service as they are engaged in a struggle for their own survival as an entity. The government continues to delay SEF's extinction and the dissemination of roles to other agencies so it's hardly surprising that its members are not rising to the challenge of entirely predictable increased passenger numbers.
By Paul Rees from Lisbon on 02 Jun 2022, 10:23
I really don't care who's at fault, all I know is that I waited almost 4 hours in a line up which had ppl without their masks and absolutely no distancing. I am a senior and felt ill, very weak and dizzy from standing for so long. SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MESS!!
By Luciana Lawton from Algarve on 02 Jun 2022, 16:56
I am not sure what criticising Costa's government has to do with this. I am a Portuguese resident and citizen now, having moved from UK. I am so glad the Portuguese people are sensible enough to consistently elect liberal governments that put people first rather than big business. I wanted to leave neo-nationalism behind. Many of the lines of people will be British tourists - Brexit has made things worse due to Brits having to have their passports stamped and scrutinised. Peaak demand at May half term. Probably, there are still COVID staffing problems and the Portuguese love to strike (greve) as well. And I am sure there are infrastructure problems. Lisbon airport always strikes me as rather small for its demand.
By Gary White from Beiras on 03 Jun 2022, 11:02
Acres of space in Terminal 1 yet we are all crowded into Terminal 2 where SEF and other staff are doing their best. Close T2 it's dangerous at the expense of landing fees.
By John Bennett from UK on 03 Jun 2022, 11:16
SEF are partly right, as the Lisbon airport is old, and not built to international standards.
However, in my regular travels through the airport, (being in the travel industry), I note an average of 4 officers serving arrival passengers, never more than 5 booths occupied, and often only 2 are manned.
No doubt SEF are in a fight, as already stated, however they and others could create operational workarounds, as many airports are doing.
They are incorrect about all airports having these problems: In 3 international flights this week, I never faced a wait of longer than 5 minutes in an immigration queue!
By Tony Williams from Other on 03 Jun 2022, 12:07
This is not a new problem at Lisbon airport, it has been this way for years. I have never seen all the passport control desks open, but I am familiar with long waiting times. There is data available for SEF predict and to man all the desks during high demand periods, but there is no interest to provide acceptable service levels to the visitors (tourism) who generate the most income to the Portuguese economy. Unfortunately, situation normal.
By Dirk Driedger from Algarve on 03 Jun 2022, 12:16
I was happy to read faro airport had installed electronic gates for passport check. But disappointed when I arrived in May that they are not operational yet, so had to get in a long snake line as usual. 3 flights arrived at the same time more or less & only 3 people at border control . The WORLD has to get back to normal £ stop using covid as an excuse to give poor service.
By Marie Musa from Algarve on 03 Jun 2022, 13:05
Well the real question is how is it still functioning when not for the first time the Government announced that it was to be “closed down” just months ago ?
By Christopher Loynes from Algarve on 03 Jun 2022, 14:41