Portugal enacts contingency plan to deal with airport delays

Wider use of electronic passport gates, more support staff to assist passengers and improved information services are also promised for the summer.

The government said the plan was in response to the “exponential” increase in arrivals as travel boomed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scores of flights were canceled over the past weekend, resulting in long queues and angry passengers at Lisbon Airport. Similar scenes have occurred across Europe and at airports in the United States.

Pressure on Lisbon Airport eased on Monday despite dozens of flights being cancelled, local media reported.

Portuguese authorities have blamed various reasons for the disruption, including an unexpected surge in travellers, cancellations elsewhere in Europe with a knock-on effect and staff shortages.