Portugal Boosts Transatlantic Links with New Routes
Turismo de Portugal celebrated its second consecutive win in the Destination category at the Routes Awards in Seville, underscoring the national tourism authority’s role in driving sustainable growth in Portugal’s vital travel sector. Tasked with promoting Portugal’s tourism offering and collaborating with airports to fill market gaps, the authority has overseen record passenger volumes and an ambitious route development programme. In 2024, Portuguese airports handled 68.3 million passengers over 827 routes, with more than 90 percent of visitors arriving by air, and introduced 54 new summer routes—39 of them entirely new destinations—followed by 41 additional winter routes and 26 new points of service alongside 11 new airline partners.
The summer 2025 schedule builds on that momentum by expanding transatlantic connectivity. TAP Air Portugal will operate a three-times-weekly service between Lisbon and Los Angeles beginning in May, and a four-times-weekly seasonal link from Boston to Porto. In a significant development for the Algarve, United Airlines will launch its first nonstop service from Newark Liberty International Airport to Faro in May 2025, marking the first direct air connection between the U.S. and southern Portugal. United will also add a Newark–Madeira service, further strengthening ties with one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. Meanwhile, Air Canada will introduce a new seasonal route between Porto and Montréal, giving North American travellers direct access to northern Portugal’s cultural and gastronomic offerings.
Miguel Moraes, head of trade relations at Turismo de Portugal, said that being recognised again at the Routes Awards “feels very good” and highlights the authority’s reputation as a trusted partner for airlines. He noted that face-to-face meetings at events like Routes in Seville are crucial: “The meetings with the airlines are the essential part. This has been a great event which has given us the opportunity to meet all the airlines in one place. It feels almost like a big family here, so it’s been wonderful.”
In the short term, Turismo de Portugal will continue working closely with airline partners, tour operators and travel agents to optimise schedules and identify further growth opportunities. Looking ahead, the authority plans to target new long-haul markets, with Mexico and Argentina at the top of its list. These strategic priorities aim to diversify Portugal’s source markets and stabilise traffic flows outside traditional European feeder routes.
Portugal’s record performance in 2024 was supported by infrastructure upgrades at major gateways including Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira, enhancing capacity and passenger experience. Collaborative initiatives with regional airports have also unlocked services to smaller markets such as Ponta Delgada and the Azores, boosting Portugal’s appeal as a multi-destination travel hub. By combining data-driven market analysis, financial incentives and shared-risk business cases, Turismo de Portugal has attracted legacy carriers and low-cost airlines alike.
As a result of these efforts, Portuguese tourism stakeholders anticipate further increases in visitor numbers and spend in 2025. The addition of transatlantic flights will open up new opportunities for hotels, tour operators and ancillary services in both urban and coastal regions. With the Algarve’s first direct U.S. route and growing links to North American cities, Portugal is poised to capitalise on long-haul leisure demand and cement its reputation as one of Europe’s most accessible and welcoming destinations.
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