The airport is surrounded by the municipalities of Matosinhos (to the south and west) and Vila do Conde (to the north) and Maia (to the east).

The land on which the airport was built was originally agricultural, characterised by rich soils that permitted the cultivation of various cereals.

[2] It was renamed in 1990 after former Portuguese prime minister, Francisco de Sá Carneiro, who died in a plane crash when he was traveling to this airport on 4 December 1980.

[3] Along with the airports in Lisbon, Faro, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria, Horta, Flores, Madeira, and Porto Santo, the airport's concessions to provide support to civil aviation were conceded to ANA Aeroportos de Portugal on 18 December 1998, under provisions of decree 404/98.

[5][better source needed] The following airlines operate regular scheduled direct passenger flights at Porto Airport: Besides taxi services and the road link, there are several public transportation links available: The airport is served by Aeroporto station, on line E of the Porto Metro.