On June 11th, 2026, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in coordination with the Timor-Leste Airport and Air Navigation Authority, EP (ANATL, EP – acronym in Portuguese), organised a media tour of Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili to showcase progress on the airport’s infrastructure development and expansion projects. 
Before visiting the site, the journalists attended a briefing led by José da Costa, Chief of Staff and Coordinator of the Project Management Unit (PMU) at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, covering the project’s overall status, the construction process, and the current implementation phases. The team also received safety briefings and instructions on procedures for accessing the construction sites from the construction company.
During the visit, the journalists toured the sites designated for future infrastructure, including the airport access road, the new passenger terminal, the control tower, the aircraft parking area, and the runway extension site in Beto-Tasi area, Madohi village.
During the visit, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, explained that the project is being implemented in phases and that construction will not affect the airport’s normal operations. The minister also stated that the airport expansion is not limited to the runway but also involves the preparation, relocation, and adaptation of various infrastructure and support services.
“When we look at an airport, people often see only the runway, but an important part of the airport comprises the various facilities that need to be prepared and relocated. Therefore, this process is ongoing and requires coordination with all parties to ensure that construction can proceed smoothly,” said Minister Miguel Manetelu.
The minister added that certain operations and services must continue during construction, including aircraft parked at the airport and the relocation of certain operational facilities.
The representative of the construction company reaffirmed the commitment to deliver the project on schedule and stated that, despite some technical obstacles during implementation, they will allocate additional resources and carry out work in parallel to accelerate construction progress.
“We will continue the assessment, and by working closely with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and other stakeholders, we can ensure the project is delivered on schedule in March 2028,” said the company representative.
The visit enabled the media to witness firsthand the progress of one of the country’s key strategic infrastructure projects. The development and expansion of Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport are part of the Government’s efforts to strengthen regional connectivity, increase the aviation sector’s capacity, and prepare Timor-Leste to host international events, including those within the ASEAN framework in 2029.