The low-cost airline has cited “high airport fees” for the cessation of flight services to and from the Azores autonomous region, accusing the government of “inaction”.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 24th Congress of the National Association of Public Road Freight Transporters (ANTRAM) in Vilamoura, Algarve, Miguel Pinto Luz expressed “great surprise” at Ryanair’s statements.
“Ryanair has accustomed us over the years to actions and statements outside the normal operating rules between institutions. The Portuguese government will not respond in kind,” the official stated.
The minister described some of Ryanair’s assertions as “dishonest,” arguing they compared periods that “are not comparable.”
According to the minister, air navigation fees have been decreasing since 2023, making Portugal one of the most competitive countries in Europe.
“Just assess the trend in fees over the past years; some of the statements are even dishonest from that perspective because they compare years that are not comparable,” he emphasized.
Miguel Pinto Luz also noted that “both the Azores Regional Government and Turismo de Portugal have supported Ryanair to fly to Portugal, and in this case, to the Azores,” over recent years.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that the Azores Autonomous Region is not adversely affected. But we do not accept ultimatums, nor threats, nor false allegations. We stand for the truth,” he concluded.
Ryanair announced on Thursday that it will cancel all flights to and from the Azores starting March 29, 2026. The airline justified the decision with “high fees,” accusing the Portuguese government of “inaction,” following a 120% increase in air navigation fees and the introduction of a two-euro travel fee.
