“Only way to end ANA’s high-tax monopoly”, says CEO
Ryanir has announced 14 new routes in and out of Portugal for the summer in a press conference in which the Irish low-cost airline ‘demanded’ that the government open up Montijo airport.
CEO Michael O’Leary stressed that the high taxes imposed by ANA (airport management authority) are forcing airlines to reduce regional flights to and from Portugal.
Opening Montijo (an Air Force base) to civilian aircraft is, in O’Leary’s mindset, the solution to “end ANA’s high fee monopoly in Lisbon forever.
“We are delighted to announce the biggest schedule for the summer of 2024 in Portugal, where we continue to grow and open 14 new routes,” he said, but “unfortunately (…) the high fees of the ANA monopoly are forcing airlines like Ryanair to reduce regional flights to and from Portugal.
“It is unacceptable that the Portuguese regulator, ANAC, has agreed to ANA monopoly fee increases of up to 17%, far above inflation. This decision will further damage Portugal’s tourism growth and jobs. We have already seen this in Portugal’s regional islands, where Ryanair was forced to close its base in Ponta Delgada and cut one of its two Madeira aircraft – a $100 million loss of investment – due to ANA’s excessive fee increases.
“We demand that the Portuguese government immediately open Montijo airport to end ANA’s high fee monopoly in Lisbon forever,” read the statement released at the press conference in Lisbon yesterday.
Coincidentally perhaps, ANA airports authority is also laying in the pressure for Montijo to be not just opened up, but transformed into the new Lisbon overspill airport. This is after a recent report by a commission ostensibly set up to determine the best site for a new airport emphatically said Montijo is not it.
With this topic high on the ‘to do list’ for any incoming government after the elections, Ryanair’s latest challenge simply adds to the pressure.
As for the new routes, these will be between Alicante (Spain), Stockholm(Sweden), Belfast (Ireland), Budapest (Hungary), Krackow (Poland), Belfast (Ireland), Norwich (UK), Marrakesh (Morocco), Rome (Italy), Ibiza (Balearic Islands), Madrid (Spain), Pisa (Italy), Poznan (Poland) and Tangiers (2 routes: Morocco).
natasha.donn@portugalresident.com
