Portuguese Police Union Denounces 'Political Pressure' Over Lisbon Airport Delays

Union Alleges 'Inexplicable Interference' and 'Political Pressure'

The Police Professionals Trade Union Association (ASPP/PSP) in Portugal has publicly denounced what it describes as 'political pressure' and 'inexplicable interference' concerning the ongoing issue of passenger delays at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport. The union, representing police officers responsible for border control, firmly refutes any blame for the extended waiting times, asserting that the problems stem from systemic issues rather than police performance.

In a document sent to the Minister for Internal Administration, the Inspectorate-General of Internal Administration, the national director of the PSP, and political parties, the ASPP/PSP expressed the 'great revolt' of officers. They argue that their daily efforts are undermined by 'commercial standards imposed by ANA, and thus adopted by the Portuguese Government,' which prioritize air connections through Lisbon, potentially disregarding the security of the Schengen Area border.

Infrastructure, Technology, and Staff Exhaustion Cited as Root Causes

The ASPP/PSP contends that the current infrastructure at Lisbon Airport, which largely remains unchanged since the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) previously managed border control, is 'completely unrealistic' for handling the current volume of passengers. The union highlights that new technological implementations, including a new IT system and the recent Entry/Exit System (EES), have further exacerbated waiting times. Despite these challenges, the union emphasizes that PSP officers have achieved top European rates for refusal and fraud detection at the airport.

According to Paulo Santos, president of the ASPP/PSP, police officers are experiencing 'exhaustion, burnout, and demotivation' due to being unfairly blamed for delays. He stated that the root cause of these delays 'does not stem from the police service itself, but from the lack of resources and even structural capacity of the airport.' The union also views a recent government order to reduce waiting times as 'proof of pressure,' demanding a crisis office and a 100-day target for compliance without providing substantive changes or resources.

ANA Aeroportos Denies Pressure, Government Acknowledges 'Critical' Situation

In response to earlier accusations, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, the airport operator, has 'categorically denied' allegations of pressuring the government or the PSP to ease border controls. ANA maintains that border control is the 'exclusive responsibility of the state' and that it has 'no interference whatsoever' in its operation. The company expressed 'great concern for passengers' facing waiting times that can exceed two hours, sometimes reaching four hours, suggesting the ASPP/PSP does not share this concern.

Meanwhile, Portugal's Minister for Internal Affairs, Maria Lúcia Amaral, acknowledged that the situation at Lisbon Airport remains 'critical.' She clarified that the fault does not lie solely with the PSP but also with the 'management of the technological means' required by the new European border control system. A special task force, comprising representatives from the Internal Security System, the PSP, and airport management, has been established to address the issue and prevent future travel chaos.