A “temporary solution” is needed soon to keep Bragança-Portimão air link running
The Bragança-Portimão air link will close on February 28 unless operator Sevenair and the Portuguese government are able to find a “temporary solution” to keep it running, the group announced today.
As Lusa news agency explains, the current four-year concession contract for the air route – which links Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Cascais, and Portimão – ends on February 28. However, it was only yesterday (February 7) that the government authorised an expenditure of €13.5 million for a new concession, to be chosen through a public tender, a process which could take several months.
Carlos Amaro, the legal representative of the Sevenair Group, has told Lusa that the company is “available, as it has always been,” to find an interim solution – until the entry into force of the future concession.
While the group is in contact with the government, “there is no proposal nor anything concrete” agreed between the two. The uncertainty regarding the future of the air link has already led Sevenair to cancel the sale of tickets for dates after February 28.
In a statement sent today to Lusa, the office of the Secretary of State for Transport and Infrastructure said that “the government is working to ensure that the Bragança/Vila Real/Viseu/Cascais/Portimão route is not interrupted.”
The statement adds that the air link “constitutes a factor of economic and social development,” helping “promote territorial cohesion” and bringing populations closer to “main business, education and leisure hubs”.
“The government is committed to maintaining this connection, preferably without an interruption of service,” said Frederico Francisco’s office.
Until a deal is reached, however, the air link remains at risk of closing, which would put about 80 jobs at risk, the Sevenair representative said, adding that it could also lead to a “strike by ground workers” due to the uncertainty about their jobs.
Even believing that the next four-year concession will come into force in October – in eight months – is considered a “very optimistic” outlook, added Carlos Amaro.
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
