TAP's 2026 Expansion Opens Direct Routes to Florida, Boston, and Tel Aviv from Portugal

TAP Air Portugal has announced major expansion plans through 2026, adding direct flights to Orlando, Florida and strengthening service from Porto Airport with new routes to Tel Aviv and year-round Boston service.

New Direct Routes from Lisbon

• Orlando, Florida: Three flights weekly beginning 29 October 2026, providing direct access to theme parks and cruise terminals for Portuguese families and the local diaspora.

Porto's Route Expansion

TAP is significantly increasing international service from Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro (Porto), creating more direct connections for northern Portugal residents:

• Terceira Island (Azores): Three flights weekly starting 1 July 2026.

• Praia (Cape Verde): Three flights weekly starting 2 July 2026.

• Tel Aviv (Israel): Four flights weekly starting 25 October 2026.

• Boston (USA): Year-round service from winter 2026-27, previously seasonal.

• Funchal (Madeira): Increased from 14 to 18 weekly departures beginning 29 March 2026.

What This Means for Residents

For travelers:The Orlando route offers direct access to Florida's major tourism attractions without connections through other European hubs. The three weekly flights provide reasonable frequency, though schedule flexibility may be limited compared to daily services. The Tel Aviv route serves both business travelers and Portugal's Jewish community, while Boston's year-round service strengthens connections for academic and business purposes, particularly valuable given the Portuguese communities in Massachusetts.

For northern Portugal:Porto's expanded route map reduces the need for connections via Lisbon. The new Cape Verde and Azores routes address connectivity gaps for diaspora family visits and seasonal tourism. These additions reflect TAP's commitment to utilizing Porto Airport more strategically, particularly as Lisbon faces capacity constraints.

For business and travel patterns:The Tel Aviv connection creates a direct air bridge between Portugal and Israel for business and tourism. The Boston year-round service supports ongoing commercial relationships and community ties. The Caribbean and Atlantic island routes enhance options for Portuguese nationals living abroad seeking to visit home.

Lisbon Airport Capacity Constraints

TAP's growth strategy reflects challenges at Lisbon Airport, which handled over 35 million passengers in 2024 and operates near capacity. These new routes from Porto help distribute passenger traffic and allow the airline to grow despite Lisbon's slot limitations. Porto's expansion demonstrates TAP's commitment to developing northern Portugal as a secondary hub for Atlantic and Mediterranean connectivity.