Finance
US aircraft activity at Azores base is covered by bilateral treaty, Portugal says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 23, 2026
Quick Summary
Portugal says increased US aircraft activity at the Azores’ Lajes Air Base is permitted under a long-standing bilateral treaty and requires no Portuguese sign-off. The surge aligns with a broader US Gulf buildup amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
Portugal: Azores Lajes Base's US Flight Surge Covered by Treaty
Treaty Basis for U.S. Flights at Lajes
LISBON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - A surge in U.S. aircraft activity at the Lajes air base in the Azores is covered by a decades-old bilateral treaty and does not require authorisation from Lisbon, Portugal's foreign minister said on Monday.
Opposition Seeks Clarification
The country's left-wing opposition has called on the centre-right government to explain the legal basis behind the increase in U.S. military flights and to clarify whether Lisbon had given approval.
Washington has embarked upon what it says is its largest military build-up in the Gulf since the 2003 Iraq War as hopes fade that it can negotiate a diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear programme.
NO BREACH OF AGREED RULES
Foreign Minister’s Statement
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said there had been "a more intensive use of the Lajes base in recent weeks" by U.S. aircraft, but without any breach of the rules agreed between Portugal and the U.S. under the 1951 treaty.
Authorization Not Required
"(The increased use) does not need to be authorised, nor known, by Portugal," Rangel told reporters.
Longstanding Arrangements
"Look at the past 50 or 60 years and you will see it has always been this way... and that is how it will continue. We fulfill our obligations," he said.
Portugal’s Diplomacy on Iran
Rangel said Portugal has always urged diplomatic solutions to international tensions, including over Iran, and called for disputes to be settled peacefully.
Strategic Role of Lajes Base
The Lajes base, located in the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, has long served as a strategic transit point for U.S. forces.
"Portugal has always defended its alliance with the U.S. and its membership of NATO, and that has not changed with geopolitical shifts," he said.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Portugal’s foreign minister says intensified US use of Lajes Air Base complies with a decades-old bilateral treaty and needs no prior approval from Lisbon.
- •Left-wing opposition seeks clarity on the legal basis and whether the government authorized the surge in US flights.
- •The pickup in movements comes as Washington conducts its largest Gulf buildup since 2003 amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
- •Lajes Field in the Azores is a long-standing strategic transit hub for US and NATO operations across the Atlantic.
- •Lisbon reiterates preference for diplomatic solutions and peaceful dispute settlement despite heightened regional tensions.
Frequently Asked Questions about US aircraft activity at Azores base is covered by bilateral treaty, Portugal says
1What is the main topic?
Portugal states that increased US aircraft activity at the Azores’ Lajes Air Base is covered by a long-standing bilateral treaty and does not require advance authorization from Lisbon.
2Do US flights at Lajes need Portuguese approval?
According to Portugal’s foreign minister, activity covered by the treaty does not require prior authorization or notification to Lisbon, though usage has intensified in recent weeks.
3Why is Lajes Air Base strategically important?
Located in the Azores on key Atlantic routes, Lajes serves as a critical transit and refueling hub for US and NATO aircraft moving between the Americas, Europe and the Middle East.
