The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) said this Tuesday, December 23, that there was a reduction in queues and waiting times at Lisbon airport and that all stations have PSP agents on duty.
After the reinforcement of 80 police officers, placed at Lisbon airport to ensure border control, the MAI said, in a written response to Lusa, that there was “in general, a reduction in queues and waiting times”.
“Permanent monitoring of the situation at Lisbon Airport is being maintained”also mentioned the ministry supervised by Maria Lúcia Amaral, adding that the reinforcement of 80 agents serves “to respond to the increase in attendance during the festive season”, which includes Christmas and New Year.
Regarding the situation at Lisbon airport, which has experienced difficulties in recent weeks, the Deputy Secretary of State and Internal Administration said, also this Tuesday, that “all boxes” are currently staffed by agents from the PSP and the Foreigners and Borders Unit”.
Paulo Simões Ribeiro indicated that the new system for controlling passengers arriving from countries outside the Schengen area and the arrival of people coming to Portugal to spend Christmas cause “additional constraints”.
Still on the new system, the Secretary of State explained that it is working and that “it has caused embarrassment in Portugal, but also in other countries in the Schengen area, because it is a system that is just beginning and people are getting used to the system and there will still be some development to be done”.
Since December 10th, the second phase has been taking place with the collection of biometric data, which consists of obtaining the passenger’s photograph and fingerprints, which has further complicated the situation.
In parliament, where she was heard about the long queues at border control at Portuguese airports, the measures adopted and the deadlines expected for their resolution, the minister also said that at the moment 236 PSP agents are assigned to Humberto Delgado airport and the needs are 270.