Today in the news: ex-Scut, exports and TAP

In June, toll road concessions that ended this year saw year-on-year increases in traffic of between 20% and 50%. Aicep estimates that, in a scenario of economic stagnation, Portuguese exports will need to grow at least 3.4% annually to account for 55% of GDP in 2029. Read the headlines in the national press this Thursday.

End of tolls leads to almost 30% more cars on the Scut

All highways in the interior and Algarve that, on January 1st, no longer had tolls, recorded increases in average daily traffic in June of more than 20% compared to the same month in 2024, when tolls were still charged. According to traffic data from the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT), only the A13-1, which is part of the Pinhal Interior subconcession, recorded a 46% increase in vehicle traffic, followed by the A13, which is part of the same concession, where the increase in average daily traffic exceeded 36.3%. Also close to a 30% increase compared to June of last year were the Via do Infante (with 28.6% more vehicles in circulation) and the Beira Interior concession (where the increase was 29%). In the North Interior, the increase recorded in June reached 25.5%, and in the Beiras Litoral and Alta, 21.2%.

Read the full story in Jornal de Negócios (paid access)

The Government's goal involves exports growing at least 3.4% per year

The government wants exports to be worth the equivalent of 55% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2029. A target that, to be achieved, means that the total amount of goods and services sold by Portugal abroad will need to grow by approximately 3.4% per year, year-on-year, according to estimates by the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (Aicep). This 3.4% year-on-year growth represents, however, the minimum annual growth rate for exports, in nominal terms, since the calculation is based on a "constant GDP scenario," meaning zero economic growth. This means that, if the year-on-year GDP growth is greater than 0%, exports will need to grow above the estimated 3.4% to reach 55% of GDP in 2029.

Read the full story in Jornal de Negócios (paid access)

TAP loses millions due to lack of investment in maintenance

Maintenance revenues shone among TAP's operating income indicators at the end of last year. However, in the first half of 2025, the situation changed, with component and aircraft repair activities falling by €12.5 million to €104 million, a year-on-year decline of 10.7%. This was one of the factors that also contributed to the €70.7 million loss reported last week by the Portuguese airline.

Read the full story in Diário de Notícias (access unavailable)

One in eight local accommodations in Lisbon is owned by companies

In Lisbon, companies own 3,304 of the 25,966 registered local accommodations (LAs), equivalent to 12.7% of all establishments (meaning at least one in eight LAs in Lisbon is owned by a company). In Porto, this proportion rises to over 14%, with a total of 14,498 registered LAs, according to data from the National Register of Local Accommodation (RNAL), a platform that, as of August 20, counted 124,700 LA units registered in Portugal.

Read the full story in Público (restricted access)

Councils challenge government proposal to resolve preschool vacancies

"The government failed to consult the ANMP [National Association of Portuguese Municipalities] regarding the alleged negotiations for contracting places with 30 municipalities, which contradicts the principle of a good relationship between the government and the ANMP. Preschool education is a fundamental issue for municipalities in general, not just 30, so the government cannot leave the ANMP out," criticizes Luísa Salgueiro, president of the ANMP. The Minister of Education has already admitted that 12,000 children were unable to secure places in public schools, while local authorities warn of the lengthy process of opening new places just days before the start of the school year.

Read the full story in Jornal de Notícias (paid access)