Aerodromo de Alijó

The primary reason for the closure was economic and administrative. The aerodrome lacked a consistent managing entity and the necessary funding for continuous maintenance, operations, and certification required by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). Despite its strategic importance for civil protection, the operational costs and administrative burden led to it falling into disuse and losing its official status.

The site is currently inactive and officially decommissioned. The physical infrastructure, including the paved runway (approximately 700 meters long), is still intact but is not maintained. Satellite imagery shows the runway with faded markings and some vegetation growth, and the support facilities are abandoned. The aerodrome is not certified for any aviation operations and is considered closed to all air traffic. The land has not been repurposed for other uses.

The Aerodromo de Alijó was a local airfield that primarily supported general aviation, including recreational and ultralight (ULM) flying. Its most significant role was strategic, serving as a seasonal 'Centro de Meios Aéreos' (Aerial Support Center) for the Portuguese Civil Protection agency (ANEPC). Due to its location in the heart of the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro region, an area frequently affected by severe forest fires, it was a vital base for firefighting aircraft, particularly water bombers like the Air Tractor AT-802. It never handled scheduled commercial or military traffic.

There is a recognized need and stated political will from local authorities, including the Municipality of Alijó, to reopen the aerodrome. The primary motivation is to restore its function as a critical base for firefighting operations to protect the Douro wine region (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the surrounding areas. The mayor of Alijó has publicly expressed the desire to see it operational again. However, as of early 2024, there are no concrete, funded plans or an official timeline for its reactivation. The prospects for reopening are uncertain and contingent on securing significant investment and navigating the complex regulatory process for recertification.