This municipal airfield is home to two fire-fighting planes, assigned to the Civil Protection agency, and is one of the stops on the air route that connects Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Cascais and Portimão.

The source said that, for safety reasons that affect the runway and are related to the collapse of the surface, the airfield is closed for aeroplanes, but may continue to be used by helicopters.

The decision to close the airfield and the measures to be implemented will be explained today at a press conference convened by the Vila Real city council.

Contacted by Lusa, a Civil Protection source said they were already studying alternative locations for the "two medium planes", with alternatives such as Chaves or Mirandela on the table.