“Zero hopes that, following the ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment, the countdown will begin for the urgent and definitive closure of Humberto Delgado Airport, putting an end once and for all to its unaffordable social costs”, states the association in a statement.

According to the non-governmental organisation (NGO), these costs “would pay for at least two new airports in a suitable location with the least possible impact on human health”.

“The approximate costs accumulated in this period of 7 years and 10 months, at current prices, are greater than 8,750 million euros, which means, excluding the pandemic years in which airport activity was atypical, that we are facing a loss of around of 1,300 million euros per year, which is equivalent to more than 3.5 million euros per day”.

The estimate revealed by Zero for the total of 24 hours a day was made using a counter on its website (https://zero.ong/) which shows in real time the accumulated damage caused by chronic exposure to noise in people since 2015, when the airport should have closed, according to the 2006 opinion of the Environmental Assessment Committee on the development plan for that infrastructure.

The NGO says that excess noise impacts 380,000 inhabitants of Lisbon, Loures and Almada.

“Prolonged exposure to aircraft noise in the affected areas of greater Lisbon has several adverse health consequences, including sleep disorders, interfering with the quality and quantity of rest necessary for the healthy functioning of the body”, notes Zero.

It also increases stress levels and contributes to cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension and heart disease, as well as harming mental health, which can lead to anxiety disorders and depression.

“(…) Properties close to the airport or under the flight route generally have lower prices compared to other areas of the city. This undervaluation of real estate assets will have cost 167 million euros in 2019”.