Pista do Sorraia

Land use conversion for a project of national significance. The Portuguese government expropriated the land of the former airfield to build the 'Memorial às Vítimas do Incêndio de Pedrógão Grande' (Memorial to the Victims of the Pedrógão Grande Wildfire). The location was chosen for its central role during the fire tragedy and its visibility.

The site has been completely transformed and no longer exists as an airfield. It is now the location of the national Memorial to the Victims of the 2017 Pedrógão Grande Wildfire. The project, designed by renowned architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, features a large memorial structure, a lake, and landscaped gardens. The runway and all aviation-related infrastructure have been permanently removed. The memorial was officially inaugurated on June 27, 2023.

Pista do Sorraia was a small aerodrome primarily used for ultralight (ULM) and general aviation. It was operated by the local Aero Clube de Pedrógão Grande. Its most critical function was serving as a seasonal air base (Centro de Meios Aéreos) for the Civil Protection authority, supporting aerial firefighting operations in the heavily forested and fire-prone central region of Portugal. The airfield's most significant historical moment was during the June 2017 wildfires, the deadliest in the nation's history. During the tragedy, it became the primary operational hub for emergency services, hosting helicopters, firefighters, and medical teams, and serving as a vital coordination point for the response and rescue efforts.

Zero. There are no plans or prospects for reopening the airport at this location. The site has been permanently and irrevocably repurposed as a national place of remembrance. There have been no public announcements or proposals from municipal or national authorities to build a replacement airfield in the vicinity.