Ryanair has announced 165 routes in Portugal, where it expects to reach pre-virus levels this summer

Ryanair expects “very strong growth” of tourism in Portugal in 2022, if there is no major disruption with the pandemic, and will launch 15 new routes in the country from April, which will total 165 routes, according to the announcement by the carrier. CEO, Michael O’Leary, at a press conference on Wednesday in Lisbon.

“People in the UK, Ireland or Scandinavia want to go back on vacation and go to the beaches, so strong growth is expected in Portugal, as well as in Spain,” O’Leary said.

The new routes that Ryanair will launch from April include connections from Porto to Madeira, Billund (in Denmark) or Verona (in Italy), as well as direct flights from Faro to Nuremberg (in Germany) or Luxembourg.

Ryanair’s CEO (CEO) stressed that the airline may “have to” cancel 20 routes in Lisbon in the summer of 2022, and reduce the number of designated aircraft in the capital from seven to four, if TAP does not abandon its services. slots which you do not use.

“We are growing in Madeira, Faro and Porto. Ryanair CEO confirmed that we cannot grow in Lisbon, which is pointless.

Michael O’Leary has appealed to the Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, “to demand that Tapp release some slots Not used”, arguing that this decision must be made by the end of February – a process on which Ryanair’s decision to withdraw three aircraft from its Lisbon base depends.

In accordance with European laws, TAP is obligated to inform slots Don’t use it – but according to Ryanair’s CEO, the company has been doing it “late”, two to three weeks in advance, which doesn’t allow other companies to plan their operations.

also provided for pass Michael O’Leary, withdrawing three Ryanair planes from the Lisbon base means reducing about 300 weekly flights from before low cost. “Portugal needs a strong tourism recovery in 2022, and I am appealing to the government to help the sector in the post-Covid period, forcing TAP to release slots that you do not use,” insisted the carrier’s owner, for whom this situation represents a “waste.”

TAP keeps blocking them slots In Lisbon, while we receive 3 billion euros in subsidies, while we receive zero ”, emphasizes O’Leary, recalling that Ryanair is ready “to continue investing in Lisbon Airport in the summer of 2022” (guaranteeing an investment of $700 million already this winter to allocate seven aircraft to the Portuguese capital base ), provided the Costa government will order TAP “by the end of February” slots They are not used – assuring that they can be used not only by Ryanair but also by “other companies”.

According to Ryanair, the “blocking” of slots By TAP in Lisbon means “a potential loss of more than $250 million for tourism in the country”.

But the carrier’s bet low cost Still going strong in Lisbon, it announced promotional fares starting at €19.99 on its summer 2022 flights.

Michael O’Leary also confirmed at the press conference in Lisbon that Ryanair is ready to invest up to 500 million euros in the new Montego airport. And the company official resumed, “Stop delaying this decision, the airport must take place now.” low cost.