Where are you going to fly? Ryanair reveals schedule for winter (see here)

The CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, announced today in Lisbon four new routes in Portugal for the winter and reiterated criticism of the TAP sale model and the process for the new airport.

The new routes originate from Porto, Faro, and Funchal, excluding Lisbon, as according to Ryanair’s CEO, ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal claims to have reached maximum capacity in the country’s capital.

However, O’Leary insists that Lisbon airport has the capacity for more traffic if the unused ‘slots’ (takeoff and landing authorizations) held by TAP were allocated, and he noted that the Montijo airport solution as new infrastructure for Lisbon would be more viable than Alcochete, as it could become operational more quickly.

Concerning the privatization of TAP, the CEO advocated for the sale of 100% of the Portuguese airline, recalling that other European national airlines were also sold in full.

This winter, Porto will have connections to Gothenburg (Sweden) and Warsaw (Poland), while Faro will offer flights to Krakow (Poland), and Madeira will have a link to Shannon (Ireland).

Michael O’Leary urged the Portuguese government to “urgently expand” the airport’s capacity or end the “artificial restrictions” at Lisbon airport and further stated that not making the ‘slots’ available is “just a way to protect TAP” from competition.

The Irish airline executive also pointed out, besides the ‘slots’ issue, the shortage of personnel at border control in Lisbon, causing “unacceptable” queues and delays at an airport that has its electronic gates (digital border control) turned off.

Regarding the new airport in Alcochete, the CEO highlighted that delaying the infrastructure “until 2035 is simply unacceptable” and added that “Lisbon cannot take 12 years to grow.”

“We believe that (the Montijo airport) could be opened in two years,” which would increase passenger numbers through Lisbon, O’Leary stated.

The Ryanair CEO also disputes that the works at Lisbon airport do not allow for additional traffic accommodation, stating that this is ANA’s stance.

“We think it can, especially because our traffic is efficient,” he argued.

On May 14, 2024, the government approved the construction of a new airport in the Lisbon region at Campo de Tiro in Alcochete, following the recommendation of the Independent Technical Committee (CTI).

The entry into operation of the Luís de Camões Airport at Campo de Tiro de Alcochete is expected to occur in about ten years, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing.

According to the presented model, the State will initially proceed with the direct sale of up to 49.9% of TAP’s capital, of which 5% will be reserved for employees, as determined by the Privatization Law. If the entirety of this tranche is not subscribed, the buyer will have a preference right over the remainder.

[Updated at 14h01]