NAV chairman Jorge Ponce de Leão told Lusa the investment was crucial to comply with the new security demands from the European Union: “The company needs to be prepared to face competition and be one of the best”, he said, adding that the investment will be financed wholly from own resources.

The project, named Top Sky and currently at the testing stage, aims to answer the increasing demand: Lisbon air traffic has increased by 50% over the last five years, and the number of passengers has grown 81%.

“This technological modernisation is absolutely necessary because the current system does not have all the required connections with the European systems and with the new technical novelties”, he added.

To proceed with this project, NAV Portugal has joined the COOPANS Alliance, which includes air traffic companies from Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Ireland and Sweden.