Safety - Portugal

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PRB monitoring

  • In 2025 NAV Portugal achieved the planned maturity levels set out in its performance plan for all five components of the EoSM. In more detail, NAV Portugal exceeded the planned level in the areas of Safety Policy and Objectives and Safety Risk Management.

  • The rate of runway incursions (RI) was 3.31 at airport level, higher than the Union-wide average, and higher than the rate of RIs in 2024.

  • The rate of RIs with ANS contribution was 1.10, higher than the Union-wide average, and higher than the rate of RIs with ANS contribution in 2024.

  • The rate of separation minima infringements (SMIs) at State level was 1.24, and at ANSP level 1.65. Both indicators were below the Union-wide average. When comparing to 2024, rate of SMIs has decreased slightly at State level and increased slightly at ANSP level.

Effectiveness of Safety Management (EoSM) (KPI#1)

In 2025 NAV Portugal achieved the planned maturity levels set out in its performance plan for all five components of the EoSM. In more detail, NAV Portugal exceeded the planned level in the areas of Safety Policy and Objectives and Safety Risk Management.

According to the monitoring report, NAV Portugal Is committed to ensure continuous improvement of its SMS. There are still areas for improvement which will require additional effort to achieve higher maturity levels, and it is NAV Portugal’s compromise to continue improving in that direction.

To achieve the safety targets, main measures put in place according to the report include improving the processes of safety performance monitoring and change management and risk assessment, raising awareness of human performance principles and reinforcing the concept of safety as an integral value within the organisation safety culture.

Safety occurrences

Rate of runway incursions (RIs) (PI#1) and Rate of runway incursion with ANS contribution (PI#3)

Rate of RIs per 100,000 airport movements - Portugal
# Airport name APT movements Number of RI Rate RI per 100,000 Number of RI with ANS contribution Rate RI per 100,000 with ANS contribution
1 Lisbon 231,732 13 5.61 4 1.73
2 Porto 112,553 2 1.78 1 0.89
3 Faro 71,132 2 2.81 1 1.41
4 Cascais 47,098 0 0.00 0 0.00
5 Madeira 37,393 0 0.00 0 0.00
6 Ponta Delgada 28,092 1 3.56 0 0.00
7 Horta 5,863 0 0.00 0 0.00
8 Porto Santo 3,877 0 0.00 0 0.00
9 Santa Maria 2,997 0 0.00 0 0.00
10 Flores 2,300 0 0.00 0 0.00

Portugal has reported 18 runway incursions (RI) during 2025 for all airports listed in the performance plans (10). In terms of ANS contribution, Portugal reported 6 runway incursions.

When comparing the rate of RIs at airport level to Union-wide level, Portugal was higher than Union-wide average (3.31 vs 2.70). The rate has increased compared to 2024 (3.31 vs 0.38).

When comparing the rate of RIs at airport level with ANS contribution, Portugal was higher than Union-wide average (1.10 vs 0.87). The rate has increased compared to 2024 (1.10 vs 0.38).

In terms of the initiatives implemented or planned to improve this performance indicator, the report defines the following elements: Increased number of Observational Safety Surveys directed to the application of runway incursion preventive measures, namely the adherence to GAPPRI recommendations. Implementation of RWY Occupancy warning in the VAISALA system. Tighter coordination with aerodrome stakeholders through Local Runway Safety Team. Improvements in ground surveillance in LPPT, LPPR and LPFR (on-going developments). RI automatic warnings in Azores aerodromes (LPPD, LPHR, LPFL, LPAZ) through SATL-TWR system (on-going developments).

Rate of separation minima infringements (SMIs) (PI#2) and Rate of separation minima infringements with ANS contribution (PI#4)

Rate of SMI with ANS contribution per 100,000 flight hours
# ANSP
Flight hours
Number of SMIs with ANS contribution
Rate of SMI with ANS contribution per 100,000 flight hours
% variation in rate of SMIs
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
1 NAV Portugal 969,074 NA NA NA NA 16 NA NA NA NA 1.7 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

At State level, Portugal reported 12 separation minima infringements (SMI) in their airspace
during 2025. The rate of separation minima infringements was lower than the Union-wide average (1.24 vs 7.87). At ANSP level, Portugal reported 16 SMIs with ANS contribution. The rate of separation minima infringements at ANSP level was lower than the Union-wide average (1.65 vs 6.02).

When comparing to 2024, the rate of separation minima infringements has decreased at State level (1.24 vs 1.51) and increased slightly at ANSP level (1.65 vs 1.51).

In terms of improving this performance indicator, the monitoring report lists the following initiatives implemented or planned: Implementation of new features in the new Air Traffic Management System (TOPSKY) which are intended to improve safety. Continuous refreshment training (annual refreshment courses) delivered to all ATCOs. Increase of the Normal Operations Monitoring activities targeting En-route and Approach environments.