Porto Airport strengthens its connection to New York and focuses on the US market

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is  reinforcing its international position with a  daily direct flight to New York (JFK), operated by Delta Air Lines,  consolidating its commitment to the North American market and the transatlantic route. For the summer of 2026, the opening of 21 new routes is planned, covering European destinations and medium and long-haul routes.

The  connection to the North American city is part of a strategy to expand  the airport’s international connectivity,  which already includes routes to Newark and Boston, reinforcing the United States as one of the fastest-growing markets in Porto.

JFK  is a global, diversified and competitive airport. It is connected to more than 134 airports in 34 countries and four continents , said the CEO of ANA/Vinci Airports, Thierry Ligonnière, at the inauguration ceremony of the new Porto–New York route, which took place this Friday at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport.

Delta Air Lines also highlighted the growing demand between the two destinations. “There is a lot of demand from Americans coming to Portugal for vacation, as well as from local customers returning to New York via JFK,” said Paul Hassenstab, the company’s sales director for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

“What  we are doing is bringing Porto closer to the USA and the USA closer to Porto ,” added the Delta Air Lines representative at the inauguration ceremony.

The Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Board also   highlighted the importance of the new route for the region. “This new route is important.  Today is indeed a very happy day for the Porto and Northern Portugal region because we will continue to invest in what is one of our strategic markets, the American market ,” stated the president, Luís Pedro Martins.

Today is indeed a very happy day for the Porto and Northern region because we will continue to invest in what is one of the strategic markets, which is the American market.

Luís Pedro Martins,
President of Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism

The  head of Tourism for Porto and Northern Portugal also highlighted the growth of the North American market in the region , which  rose from eighth to second position in just a few years, and already occupies first place in some destinations, such as the Douro Valley.

The CEO of ANA/Vinci Airports reinforced the importance of the airport in the international network. “Porto Airport has been establishing itself as a strategic infrastructure in the country’s international connectivity, with particular emphasis on the transatlantic axis,” he stated.

In 2025, Porto airport recorded 16.6 million passengers, consolidating its growth trajectory and reinforcing its role in the international connectivity of the Northern region.  For the summer of 2026, the opening of 21 new routes is also planned , reinforcing the expansion of the offer to European and intercontinental destinations.