The relocation of part of the air force resources to other bases “can only follow a clearer analysis of whether the model to be used by the civilian component at the base is to be bigger or smaller", he said.

The air force study must assess the impacts of the base being used as a second Lisbon airport to complement the main infrastructure in Lisbon over the short-, medium- and long-term and the length of the transition period, a source at the defence ministry told Lusa on Wednesday.

Azeredo Lopes said that the Montijo option for the complementary airport “has not been decided, but is a strong contender and must be studied".