The 2026/27 winter programme at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport includes 10 new connections and 14 routes previously open only in the summer, aiming to reduce seasonal fluctuations in air traffic and reinforce its position as an international gateway for northern Portugal.

As reported by ECO, the extended winter schedule will run until March, with new destinations in Italy, Poland, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and Cabo Verde.

Among the latest additions, Ryanair is introducing flights to Catania in Sicily, Gdansk, Poznan and Hamburg, as TAP Air Portugal is adding a connection to Sal, while Transavia will operate flights to Brussels.

Volotea is also introducing services to Clermont-Ferrand and Granada, as Wizz Air is adding connections to Catania and Milan Malpensa.

International connections

One of the most significant developments is the extension of several long-haul routes apart from the summer season.

For the first time, passengers can travel from Porto to New York (JFK), Boston, Tel Aviv, Praia and São Vicente during the winter months.

Delta Air Lines will maintain its New York connection, while TAP Air Portugal is extending its Boston and Praia services.

EL AL, an Israeli airline, is set to continue operating flights to Tel Aviv, and easyJet will maintain its connection to São Vicente.

The remaining extensions include Berlin and Glasgow with easyJet, Berlin with Eurowings, Warsaw with LOT Polish Airlines, and Liverpool, Nuremberg and Rabat with Ryanair.

Volotea will also continue operating routes to Brive-la-Gaillarde and Asturias.

These changes give passengers more opportunities to travel internationally without relying exclusively on the busier summer season.

Infrastructure investment

The expansion of the winter schedule comes as ANA Aeroportos continues to invest in improving Porto Airport’s infrastructure and passenger experience.

According to the airport operator, the runway modernisation has been completed following a €50 million investment, with works now continuing inside the terminal, including improvements to check-in facilities, security controls, Fast Track services and the airport lounge.

ANA reported that Francisco Sá Carneiro handled more than 16.9 million passengers in 2025, a 6.3% increase from the previous year, representing sustained growth for Porto Airport in recent years.

Thierry Ligonnière, ANA chief executive, said the additional winter connections showed the airport’s growing appeal within the Iberian Peninsula, highlighting the extension of 14 summer routes as an important step towards reducing seasonality, improving connectivity across northern Portugal and providing more options for both passengers and businesses.

He added that the expansion reflects cooperation between ANA, the airlines and regional partners, as well as continued confidence in the northern Portuguese market.

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