TAP has criticized the initiative to increase airport charges led by ANA (Airports of Portugal) In a statement, the airline noted that the measure would be disproportionate, given the lack of significant investment in Portuguese airports in recent years and the recurring inefficiencies and constraints, which particularly affect the level of service provided to airlines and all passengers using Lisbon airport.
According to the carrier, the increases proposed by ANA – with a targeted effective date of January 1st, 2023 – would represent increases per passenger of 35 cents in the Azores, 79 cents in Madeira, 80 cents in Faro, 81 cents in Porto and 1.53 euros in Lisbon.
In September of this year, an additional €3.54 ($3.53) was charged per passenger embarked, regardless of their destination. According to ANA, the rationale behind the increases was to provide security services related to civil aviation, such as future installation, operation, and maintenance of vital systems for checking checked baggage. Simple Flying magazine reports that the revisions were approved by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).
If these new increases were to materialize, added to the sharp increase in fuel prices, they would mean an increase in airline costs with an impact on travel prices for residents in Portugal, as well as reducing Portugal’s competitiveness as a tourist destination
TAP Air Portugal
According to TAP, the increases would also contribute to worsening the economic situation of TAP Air Portugal, the main customer of national airports, air passengers in general and Portuguese passengers in particular, especially those living in the autonomous regions.
TAP considers that even before these increases, the fees charged to passengers on domestic flights between Portuguese airports or with stopovers at the Lisbon hub are already significantly higher than those charged at the airports and ‘hubs’ of the carrier’s main European airlines” competitors.
The airline warned that the airport taxes charged to passengers traveling from Europe to Brazil, the United States or Africa are already significantly higher in Portugal than those charged to passengers making stopovers at the main European hubs.
The company said it will take an active part in the consultation process launched by ANA and will inform the ANAC and other competent authorities of its opposition to these increases in airport charges in Portugal and the need to find a different approach to airport charges that can act as a competitive factor for the Portuguese economy.
