“Unfortunately, we are here to announce cuts, because we have recently been victims of the ANA/Vinci monopoly, which has extraordinarily increased airport charges for next year”, announced the executive chairman of the Irish airline, Michael O'Leary, at a press conference in Lisbon.
Ryanair therefore decided to cut one of the two planes at the Madeira base in January next year and reduce traffic in Faro and Porto next summer.
ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal reviewed the tariff proposal for 2024 at national airports, and now proposes an average increase of 14.55 percent in global terms, including adjustments to fees not charged in previous years.
By airport, the variation is greatest in Lisbon, with 16.98 percent (+2.29 euros), with Porto increasing 11.92 percent (+0.92 euros), Faro increasing 11.35 percent (+0 .88 euros) and Beja 8.77 percent (+17.71 euros). In the Azores, the proposal foresees an increase of 7.47 percent (+0.57 euros) and in Madeira of 7.92 percent (+0.98 euros).
“Excessive and unjustified increases”
The executive president of Ryanair highlighted that these “excessive and unjustified increases” will “harm tourism and jobs in Portugal, especially in the island economies of Madeira and the Azores”.
O’Leary regretted that Portugal is not freezing or reducing airport taxes, as other European airports are doing, to stimulate traffic and the recovery of tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ryanair therefore appealed to the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) to intervene, freezing the increases proposed by the airport manager.
Additionally, Michael O’Leary also asked that the Portuguese Government “reopen the concession for the new Montijo Airport, to break ANA’s monopoly”.
Asked about the other location possibilities for the new airport that are being studied, the head of the Irish company reiterated that “the solution for Lisbon is Montijo” and urged the Government to resolve the issue “once and for all”.
In a press conference with harsh words aimed at the Government and ANA, whom he called “incompetent” several times, Michael O'Leary said that Lisbon airport could grow from 30 to 40 million passengers with different management and accused the French multinational Vinci of purposely restricting capacity at Portela.
Ryanair had already closed its base in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, in winter this year, also as a reaction to ANA's price increase.
Regarding the delay in deliveries of Boeing planes, which led the airline to cancel some flights from the end of October, Michael O'Leary explained that, of the 57 units that were planned, 10 to 12 should receive by Christmas and a total of 40 by the end of June.
“The situation in Europe will become difficult next summer, there will be fewer seats available”, he concluded.
(Updated at 14:06 to include additional information)
The same modus operandi of local political and fiscal intrigues in order to gain more profit. But Ryanair is fundamental at any major European destination for which there is high demand by passengers.
By Diogo F. from Lisbon on 21 Nov 2023, 23:05
Well said Michael. Although not your greatest fan I do use your services. Is there anybody in the Portuguese government that isn't incompetent or corrupt? I'm sure you will resume your services when price negotiations are completed.
By David Peter Clark from UK on 22 Nov 2023, 08:08
O’Leiry is a jerk.. everybody knows it.. he just want to be subsidised by local governments… once he receives the money.. he starts to play these games.. This is one of the reasons I nearly never fly Ryanair.. the second is security and bad cheap staff… one day the wind will turn for Ryanair! I am sure… a company with a frustrated NEGATIVE CEO cannot survive..
By Pierre from Algarve on 22 Nov 2023, 14:40
Well this very good. Nobody needs Ryanair neither their (mostly) un-educated passengers that ruin Portugal and make it a second Ballermann 6(Mallorca).
By FAB from Other on 23 Nov 2023, 09:34
Losing Ryanair flights? Sounds like a win to me!
By Bill Murphy from Algarve on 23 Nov 2023, 12:08
I am Irish, so I am biased towards Ryanair. Southern Portugal and particularly Algarve is sun destination that attracts many Northern Europeans for the beautiful countryside andwondetful beaches. When those people arrive, they (we) spend our money on taxi fares, apartments, food, wines and beers, the local shops. Without Ryanair and other such airlines, we could not fly to Alvarve, so we are very grateful that Ryanair exists and serves the market. Yes Ryanair wants to make as much profit as possible, it is a rivate, commercial business. It is not a charity organisation. Ryanair does not get tax euros, unlike many other European airlines. So I say, well done Ryanair, your formula is working and long may it continue. To those who do not like Ryanair I say choose another Airline. Good luck with that decision.
By John ODonovan from Other on 23 Nov 2023, 12:36
If we drive out every airline that has ever irritated us, there would be none left. Raising taxes has consequences, whether you like it or not. This CEO is doing what any viable enterprise does (and should do) that is asked to pay more: Pushing back.
By Brian from Other on 27 Nov 2023, 08:06