Ryanair has taken the decision this week to further reduce the number of flights from Porto & Faro from January 2024 as their dispute with ANA’s increased charges continue.
It is understood the airport company is increasing fees to airlines by 17%, with the Irish low-cost carrier calling them out for monopolistic behaviours.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Ryanair Reduces Faro & Porto Flights Due to ANAC Conflict…
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Commenting on the decision to remove further flights from Faro and Porto due to the continued ANA conflict was Eddie Wilson of Ryanair:
“We are appalled that the Portuguese Regulator, ANAC, has rubber stamped ANA’s monopoly airport charge increases of up to 17% from January 2024.”
“This bizarre decision will have a devastating impact on Portugal’s connectivity, tourism growth, and jobs, especially in Madeira and the Azores where Ryanair has already closed its Ponta Delgada base and removed one of our two aircraft from Madeira – a loss of $100m investment – due to ANA’s excessive charges.”
“The ANA monopoly should follow the example of its European counterparts and lower airport charges to help stimulate traffic and tourism recovery, not increase charges by up to 17% to line the pockets of the French owned airport monopoly operator –VINCI.”
“Instead, these unjustified airport charge increases will erode Portugal’s competitiveness and drive-away much-needed inbound tourism in the off-peak season – as evidenced by todays incremental capacity reduction in both Faro & Porto.”
“These excessive airport charge increases have today resulted in Ryanair further reducing capacity across 40 routes at our Faro and Porto bases.”
“The Portuguese Govt. must immediately intervene to protect Portuguese tourism, airlines, passengers, and island-economies from ANA’s excessive monopoly pricing that is driving away much needed tourism growth.”
All eyes will be on whether ANAC will reverse their decision on the ANA airport charges, or whether Ryanair will have to apply more pressure going into 2024.
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