New Lisbon Airport in Alcochete

According to figures from the Portuguese Real Estate Association, Portugal receives around two million British tourists a year; and between 17,000 and 18,000 Brits buy property in Portugal annually, with over 50% opting for homes in the Algarve*.

However, central Portugal has been growing in favour with increased infrastructure, including upgrades to the current Lisbon airport and the construction of a new main airport in Alcochete for 2012.

Lisbon's new airport is going to be built at Alcochete, according to plans announced by the Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates.

The new airport is expected to cost approximately €4.9 billion, and is situated on the south side of the Tagus river, 11.7 miles from Lisbon.

Another site, at Ota, was originally earmarked for the new airport, but after studies the LNEC civil engineering laboratory concluded the airport could be built at Alcochete or at Ota and, according to the Prime Minister, Alcochete would provide more advantages.

Speaking at a press conference held on January 10th, Jose Socrates said, "Alcochete is the best option, both technically and financially...and beat Ota on four of the seven crucial criteria'", which were safety, natural resource sustainability, economic and social development, and financial evaluation.

Flights to Lisbon from London and regional airports in the UK currently run on a daily basis. Flight times are around two hours and forty minutes, and airlines include British Airways, easyJet, TAP and BMI Baby.

IRG International Realty Group are currently marketing a range of properties at the 440 hectare Troia Resort, just 30 minutes south of Lisbon.

Chesterton International have just released the first Vale Real plots, where bespoke villas will be built, in the resort of Vale do Lobo in the Algarve.

Vigia Group are marketing 2,3 and 4 bed golf-village houses at Parque da Floresta, Western Algarve.