Comments for Beja District, Portugal

My family flew into and out of Beja last year in a BMI Regional aircraft operated by Sunvil (flights every Sunday morning) for a holiday on the Costa Vincentina. It was a very pleasant experience, and I understood the service was continuing this year. It is certainly very convenient for the Alentejo, and it would be a pity to see it going to waste.

my wife is portugees if the airport is open and they do buisness with easyyet or any other ill fly every two month on beja airport close by we have our vacationhouse .

Beja airport is a fantasy airport, its exists, but does not exist in reality. An Alentejo political vanity project. Try booking a flight to Beja or from Beja. No departures and no arrivals, but a brand new airport terminal to listen to the echo of your own voice.

People wonder why Portugal's economy is shrinking so fast when public money is wasted building airports like Beja which offers no flights or as any passengers??

Don't forget that LPBJ is a militar air base. What was recently built, was an adicional civil appron and terminal. Even so bad investment judged.

No flights, no planes, no staff, no passengers, only weeds growing in the empty car park?

Will someone at ANA airport operators pick up the phone and invite Ryanair and Easyjet to land at Beja airport, as the airport is dying a slow death?

Not sure what the air traffic controllers and baggage handlers are doing all week at Beja airport, but imagine playing cards or domino's must be popular as there is little else to do?? Amin staff have nothing to administer apart from unlock the doors at 9am and lock up at 5pm.

Its is an embarresement for ANA airport operators

9am in the morning, and lock up after 5pm??

A 33million cost to build a ghost airport with no passengers or planes??

The 33million cost of building an airport wh airport cost 33 million to build as is a ghost airport with no passengers or planes or airlinesich offers only 1 flight.per week in a natinal disgrace asd an embarresment to ANA airport operators.

I have heard that the ONE flight per week landing on a Sunday as been suspended, whether it is a temporary or permanent change, no one knows? The weeds grow and the airport is as silent as a graveyard?

We live in Extremadura in Spain close to Alentejo region in Portugal The whole region is superb and it would be fantastic were they to get ryanair etc to fly there. For a flavour of the area click on spanishgarden.org

Hi there, Does anyone know how to contact Beja. I am planning to fly into Beja from UK in June in light aircraft and was hoping I could call on Beja. Please help. Especially the traffic controller from the base.... let me know. Darren

Yes the Alentejo region is beautiful. Beja Airport can only be an advantage in the future when the global economy and tourism picks up. We have 15 acres of land approximately 12 kilometres from the airport. There are around 40 mature olive trees and planning consent. We also have drawings to build a large villa with pool. We are moving to New Zealand in a year's time and have decided to sell this land. If anyone is interested the cost is £85,000. There is electricity nearby and a borehole can be installed very easily. For further information please contact me on 07787 133048. I will be in the Beja region at the end of January for viewings.

Oh my goodness, what a load of rubbish left by the last person. The Alentejo is wonderful, beautiful, with lovely friendly people, fabulous cuisine and the BEST wines in Portugal. Far nicer than the north. I have travelled for many years in Portugal, I should know. The airport one day will be fantastic and will allow lucky folk to visit the likes of Evora, Beja and Mertola, with many other beautiful towns and villages, some in sweet hill settings. For goodness sake, the Alentejo has a slow way of life, eventually the airport will be busier but things go at an Alentejo speed!! I truly hope the Alentejo doesn´t get over populated, this gives the area the charm and piecefulness that most folk with hectic lives seek.

I was in Portugal on holiday in June and flew into Lisbon. In discussions with British people living in Portugal they say that there is very little need for an airport in Beja as Lisbon is quite near and Faro is there for the Algarve with many flights at cheap prices. The place where an airport is desperately needed is in the Central part of Portugal, i.e. in the triangle formed by Coimbra, Tomar and Castelo Branco. This part of Portugal is lush and gorgeous but inaccessible to tourists, but there are lots of people who could benefit from a boost to tourism. Beja and the Alentejo is prinicipally agricultural and under populated. Building the airport here was a result of graft and corruption and local contractors in collusion with their "pals" in the Government.

As with Greece, although Euro Union money has in many cases brought good things to Portugal there is a distinct lack of cohesion and clear thinking in how best to promote this lovely country to tourists. Building an airport in a region which does not need it is an example of this. I was told that the public wanted the airport in the Central region but they were ignored. Just another case of jobs for the boys I suppose.

I am thinking of moving to Portugal to open a tourism business and having researched the Alentejo and the Central region I think the latter is better suited to Northern European tourism as it is greener, lusher and prettier. I think it is a great shame there is not an airport in this region. How terribly sad that millions of euros were spent to build an airport with one flight per week! If it were not so sad it would be funny.

Well the months roll by and Beja airport managed and run by ANA airport operators still only offers 1 flight per week to Heathrow, UK. 33 million euro's to build a new terminal, supposedly to help transform the Alentejo economy with more tourist traffic and help inject more investment into the region? Well offering only 1 flight per week is hardly going to transform the economy of Alentejo? Wake up and smell the reality ANA, Beja airport is crawling along at a snails pace. Why does someone not just pick up the phone and call Easyjet and Ryanair, negotiate a contract and get the planes landing and taking off from the almost abandoned runways that are never in use?

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, I´M AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER AT BEJA, BUT MILITARY, THAT MEANS THAT I DONT HAVE WEEKENDS AND I DONT EARN 10000€ FOR MONTH. WE WORK FOR THE CIVILIANS WITHOUT PAYMENT EXTRA. AND FOR ABOUT THE WEEKENDS THAT IS JUST ONE MORE FLIGHT. WE WORK ALL THE WEEK WITH CIVILIANS PLANE FROM ALL THE ACADEMY THAT SORROUND BEJA. AND THIS IS NOT A AIRPORT THIS IS A AIR FORCE BASE WITH AN CIVILIAN APRON.

Not sure what the air traffic controllers and baggage handlers are doing all week at Beja airport, but imagine playing cards or domino's must be popular as there is little else to do?? Amin staff have nothing to administer apart from unlock the doors at 9am and lock up at 5pm.

Its is an embarresement for ANA airport operators

9am in the morning, and lock up after 5pm??

A 33million cost to build a ghost airport with no passengers or planes??

The 33million cost of building an airport wh airport cost 33 million to build as is a ghost airport with no passengers or planes or airlinesich offers only 1 flight.per week in a natinal disgrace asd an embarresment to ANA airport operators

So happy Beja airport is open. Not so happy that the only flight at the moment is from Heathrow as I live in Wales and fly from Birmingham. Never mind I am sure that when people visit the beautiful Alentejo there will be more demand.I have been visiting about 6 times a year for the last 3 years and flying to Beja would be brill.

Yes thats right 30€ million cost to build, but only 1 fight per week operates on a Sunday to Heathrow, so what happens for the rest of the week?? NOTHING? No flights available, the Beja airport is as silent as a graveyard? ANA airport operators seem in no rush to get more airlines to use the airport for flights?? Great shame as so much potential for the Alentejo region is being squandered and wasted?

Really happy with this airport opening! Beja and Alentejo is one of the most beautiful parts of Portugal, can't wait to fly there! :)

Time to eat humble pie methinks, sunshine.

I flew into Beja on 22nd and back to Heathrow on 29th and had a wonderful holiday.

Deserted roads in Alenteja, no crowds, friendly people what more could you want.

Thank you Sunvil!!

See up in the top right, where is says "Sign on"? Click it.

and for the record, my previous post is only "anonymous" because this website doesn't tell you how to add your name.

I am Meher Oliaji and my agency is Karnak Travel

i flew into Beja Airport on Sunday (yesterday 22 May) with Sunvil Holidays: a "fam trip" (familiarisation) for travel agents, and I for one will definately be recommending this part of Portugal to the customers of my travel agency.

The First of 22 weekly flights operated from the UK to Beja yesterday Sunday 22May. For the first date only the return flight to the UK was rescheduled to depart Beja at 17:00 to allow Journalists and UK Travel Agents a chance to explore some of the area. The schedule for the remaining flights will be LHR/BYJ 06:00/08:40 BYJ/LHR 09:40/12:30 every Sunday Morning. Flights can be booked via www.sunvilflights.com flights cannot be booked via flybmi.com as this is not a normal bmi flight. It is operated by bmi on behalf of Sunvil Discovery. Flight Only prices start from £98 o/w, price is fully inclusive and includes baggage and on board meal service. - For further information contact Sunvil Discovery on +44 (0)20 8758 4722

On which airline are you flying?

Im flying this Sunday from Heathrow into Beja ! Really looking forward to coming through this way as only ever used Faro and Lisbon before.

I can confirm that a weekly charter flight (BMI) will be travelling from London Heathrow to Beja every Sunday. More info can be found at sunvil.co.uk/discovery/portugal/alentejo/special-offers/travelzoo-special-offer

I have already told you that BMI are flying there in May. Why don't you want to believe this.

Hey guys, let's be honest.

No airline will fly to Beja EVER even because the airport is closed and will remain that way since there are no one interested in operate it. This airport is just for show... and who would want to fly to the middle of a desert? If necessary you can take the road from Algarve or Lisbon and get there is a couple of hours.

Has any one heard of any other Airlines interested in flying into Beja?

Sunvil are doing a weekly charter flight from Heathrow to Beja (and return) starting on 22/05/2011 - it is possible to book seat only

i have just booked an holiday through Sunvil and there are flights on Sunday's from London Heathrow (BMI & B/A) will

be flying from there.

i was thinking of going on a holiday to the region and the tour operator has advised me that BMI will start flying to Beja on Sundays from Heathrow

Has anyone any information will regards to who will fly into Beja?, can't wait for this airport to open and give this part of Portugal the reconition it deserves, instead of the Algarve. Roll on the opening dates, Come on.

Think I am little late in jumping on this bandwagon but having been doing research on different areas in Portugal, got quiet excited and enthused when I found a piece about a new airport at Beja with an opening date of Spring 2011. Having read all the comments about delays and missed deadlines, feeling slightly deflated!!! This would be an excellent opportunity to bring tourists into an unknown and beautiful area of Portugal - however's decision it is, just make it, there is so much obvious support and need.

ANA the Portuguese airport operators say that Beja Airport will be open and fully operational with flight landing and departing in March 2011.Well time will tell,as there have been so many false opening dates given and then cancelled and a new date given.

Also ANA have to attract airlines to land and operate at the airport,or Beja airport is going to be a €33 million empty white elephant in Alentejo with no airlines landing there.

fiquem descançados que o aeroporto de beja nao abrio e nao abrira . sabem bem que o alentejo para todos os governos direita esqerda ou outros è a ultima roda do carro. mas se o arrogante socratas nao quizer o nosso alentejo . os espanhois aqerditon nele pois o baixo alentejo é quase todo espanhol pois comprom tudo é quase tudo deles e os nossos pobres alentejanos humildes e trabalhadores nao teem trabalho a morrer de fome vao-me fazer recretar o tempo do salazar pois agora é os franquistas que mandon no alentejo. as........armas a

the last report i seen last week said it will open around spring 2011.

I think brining it forward from 2910 to 2010 is a marvellous achievement. :)

No, but i wish they would hurry up & get it running, it would save us a lot of money , time , fuel etc to , getting to the Algarve from mid Portugal.

Was this just a ploy to get as many people as possible to buy into the area? Seems like the old saying goes..............amanha. Does anyone have the slightest idea when,if ever, this airport will open. Jane

Secretary General,

Financial Directorate,

Planning and Management Control Directorate,

Human Resources Directorate,

Audit and Organisation Directorate,

Legal and Litigation Directorate,

Strategy and Marketing Directorate,

Real Estate Directorate,

Special Projects Directorate,

Retailing Directorate,

nformation and Communications Technologies Directorate,

Shared Services Center,

Aeronautical Infraestructure Directorate,

Technical Services Directorate,

Development Office,

Press Office,

Quality Advisory,

Airport Regulation Division,

ANA Consulting

,

I have visited your ANA website trying to find out when Beja Airport will be fully opened and operating flights??

On your ANA website your company as 19 departments. Many departments? and none of these departments can offer

any information about Beja Airport and when it will open. No one knows?? is it a secret??

There have been constant delays and more delays in the opening? WHY! When is the Beja airport finally going to open and operational with flights??

Regards Tom

"Eu tenho visitado seu site ANA tentando descobrir quando Aeroporto de Beja vai ser totalmente aberto e os voos de funcionamento ?\nANA em seu site de sua empresa em 19 departamentos. Muitos departamentos ? e nenhum desses serviços pode oferecer\nqualquer informação sobre Aeroporto de Beja, e quando ele vai abrir . Ninguém sabe ? é um segredo ?\nTem havido constantes atrasos e mais atrasos na abertura ? POR QUE! Quando é que o aeroporto de Beja , finalmente vai abrir e operacional com os vôos ?\nConsidera Tom"

The only thing happening at Beja Airport is the weeds going and the wind blowing??

Here is a photo of a very expensive airport that as been built,and stands completely empty??

file:///C:/Users/Tom/Pictures/Beja-International-Airport-Terminal-in-spring-2010-alentejo-portugal.zip

Every time I try to find any news about the opening of Beja Airport, its like some hidden state secret.No one knows?? Having spent all those millions of €'s,no one knows?? Contacted some one who is supposed to know when the airport is going to be opened to actual flights - "Rui Oliveira, Press Officer for national airport management company ANA"

Why do they not realize just how much economic good the airport would do for the Alentejo region?? State bureaucracy will be the death of Portugal.

how can it take so many years to move on something with so much support from so many people in an otherwise forgotten part of Portugal?????

The thing about Ryanair is that they won't mind that it is a fair distance from the Algarve as long as landing fees are cheaper (they specialise in finding airports near (but not quite in) resorts so that they can offer cheap flights). Not so good for people who face an hour and a half's drive to the Algarve once they arrive in Beja but great for those of us who want to go just down the road.

"long drive from Lisbon"!! I drive from Scotland to Beja every year. I'm not even at Manchester in the time it takes you to drive from Lisbon. Geez a break.

"long drive from Lisbon"!! I drive from Scotland to Beja every year. I'm not even at Manchester in the time it takes you to drive from Lisbon. Geez a break.

Any news on the opening date? " anytime in 2010", come on lets get it opened before they change their minds

"Eu sei que as coisas andam devagar em Portugal, mas o aeroporto de Beja como foi datado de volta para a abertura real tantas vezes agora. Ia para abrir em 2008, depois de 2009, em seguida, março 2910, agora setembro 2010, 2.011 próxima desculpa? talvez até 2012?\n\nO aeroporto iria transformar a região do Alentejo e fazê-lo muito bom para o emprego eo investimento, por todos os atrasos? ea burocracia?\n\nReceba o aeroporto aberto e funcionando."

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz I know things move slow in Portugal,but the Beja Airport as been back dated for the actual opening so many times now. Was going to open in 2008,then 2009, then March 2910,now Sept 2010, next excuse 2011?? maybe even 2012?

The airport would transform the Alentejo region and do so much good for employment and,investment, why all the delays?? and red tape??

Get the airport open and running.