This position was conveyed by Michael O'Leary at a press conference in Lisbon, during which he said that Ryanair may be "forced" to reduce the number of aircraft at the base in Lisbon from seven to four in the summer of 2022, with the loss of 20 routes to and from Lisbon, "taking into account the continuous accumulation of unused slots" by TAP at Humberto Delgado Airport.

"The only reason we have to move these aircraft is because TAP does not release slots", said the Ryanair official, adding that he sent a letter to the Prime Minister, António Costa, for TAP to release slots at Lisbon airport.