In a statement, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal explained that the option for night work aims to "minimize the impact on airport operations".

The contract for the works was signed today with Acciona and represents "an investment in quality, safety and environmental performance, allowing for the accommodation of air traffic growth", the press release reports.

With this operation, the statement continues, ANA will "reinforce the airport's operational conditions, this being the largest intervention carried out on the runway of this infrastructure".

The intervention on the runway and adjacent areas includes the complete repaving of the wearing course of runway 17-35, structural reinforcement interventions on the runway, adjustment of the geometry of the runway strip, and on the approach line (light signaling) of runways 17 and 35, as well as the replacement of the runway light systems with LED.

The work also includes the complete renovation of the runway drainage system and the installation of civil infrastructures for the implementation of navigation equipment (ILS category II) on runway 35, which will allow operations in low visibility.

In his speech, ANA's president, Thierry Ligonnière, revealed that the airport will be closed on September 10.

"The only visible works for passengers will take place on September 10. Some of these works will have to be carried out over a longer period than we have available each night. This situation leads us to propose the closure of the airport for a full day, the only day of the year when there will be no planes on the runway in Porto", explained the official.

ANA's president explained that "this date was chosen based on the probability of favorable weather conditions".

"Let's all cross our fingers so that the conditions are actually favorable for the works to be carried out", he said.

The runway, Thierry Ligonnière also stated, "needs renovation and reinforcement".

"And we are taking advantage of this rejuvenation treatment to adjust the geometric characteristics of the runway (...) with a view to placing the Porto runway at the highest level of safety", thus contributing "to keeping the airport among the best in Europe", he said.

[News updated at 18:05]

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