Pista do Couço

The primary reason for the closure is its location within the perimeter of the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete, a large and active military firing and training range used by the Portuguese Armed Forces and NATO allies. Civilian aviation operations became incompatible with the security protocols and operational safety requirements of the restricted military airspace and ground activities.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of disrepair. Satellite imagery clearly shows a single asphalt runway that is heavily weathered, cracked, and overgrown with vegetation. There are no remaining airport buildings or infrastructure. The land is part of the restricted Campo de Tiro de Alcochete military area and is inaccessible to the public. It currently serves no function.

Pista do Couço was a small, private airstrip. Its main function was to support agricultural aviation, such as crop dusting and spraying, for the vast farmlands in the Ribatejo region, which is a major agricultural hub in Portugal. It was also used for local general aviation and ultralight flights. While not a major airport, it served a practical purpose for the local agricultural economy before its operations conflicted with the adjacent military zone.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Pista do Couço. Its location within a sensitive and active military installation makes any future civilian use extremely unlikely. The land is under the effective control of the Portuguese Ministry of National Defense, and any potential reactivation for aviation purposes would be for military use, for which there have been no announcements.