The plenary, taking place between 7 am and 11 am at the Border Control Squad, also aims, according to the ASPP president, to criticize the government for failing to comply with the agreement signed in July 2024, which has already led the union to abandon negotiations with the government.

This plenary, which may cause disruptions at the airport, follows another protest held by the ASPP in November, warning of continued protests in the absence of concrete government responses to the problems faced by police officers at the air borders.

A document emerged from the November plenary session regarding the situation of passenger control at airport borders, a responsibility that the PSP (Public Security Police) inherited two years ago from the SEF (Immigration and Borders Service), which the ASPP (Association of Professional Police Officers) sent to the Government, the national directorate of the PSP, the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration, and political parties.

In this document, the ASPP denounces the “great revolt” of police officers at Lisbon airport, who refute criticisms that they are responsible for waiting times and accuse the political power of “inexplicable pressure and lack of explanation.”

Paulo Santos indicated that the protest is organized “in the face of the lack of progress, the manifest devaluation of PSP professionals, particularly concerning the agreement signed in July 2024, and the persistence of deficiencies in the air security divisions.”

According to ASPP, the end of SEF and the creation of the National Foreigners and Borders Unit “only perpetuated existing deficiencies, highlighting a government strategy of implementing a ‘low-cost’ police force and the continued devaluation of professionals.”

Waiting times

Waiting times at Lisbon airport have been high, increasing in recent days, and the Minister of Internal Administration announced on Wednesday a reinforcement of 80 PSP police officers for the next 15 days with the aim of ensuring the regular functioning of border control and security during peak periods.

Paulo Santos questioned the conditions under which these police officers will be placed at Lisbon airport, stating that there is not enough space or booths, as the problem at Lisbon airport is one of “space management.”