Portugal aims to increase airport fees

Airport fees will be raised by an average of 11 per cent starting next year, the country's airport authority has announced.

However, not everyone agrees with the proposal of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal. Ryanair representatives, for example, believe that the decision might trigger an increase in flight prices and directly impact Portugal’s tourism recovery efforts.

The 11 per cent increase in airport fees is scheduled for February 2023 and can translate into an increase in ticket prices per passenger, as follows: €0.35 for the Azores region, €0.79 for Madeira, €0.81 fr Porto, €0.80 cents for Faro and €1.53 for Lisbon.

Elena Cabrera, Ryanair country manager, explained, while urging authorities to encourage tourism by lowering airport taxes and follow Spain’s example:

“There is no justification for the excessive increase in airport fees by ANA, especially when Portugal is still recovering from the pandemic.”

If adopted, the proposal would follow two more fee increases already implemented this year, which raised the ticket price per passenger with more than €6. However, the decision awaits approval from the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).

Portugal has opened to all visitors on July 1st. Currently, according to new regulations, positive travellers no longer have to be isolated during their trip. Nevertheless, symptomatic visitors are recommended to wear a mask and avoid crowded public places in order to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

 

Source: euronews.com