Easyjet wants to continue its growth in Portugal, a market where it plans to increase capacity by 8% next year compared to 2019, when covid-19 has not yet caused the largest crisis in the industry. According to the company, which held a press conference in Funchal this Wednesday, another plane will arrive in Faro next summer. new seasonal base the company, which opened in June last year, which will join three already planned aircraft (bringing the total number of aircraft to 13, including Lisbon and Porto).
In the presentation of the CEO Dating Easyjet Portugal, José LopesIt was stated that the strategy assumes a way out of the pandemic “in a profitable situation” with “a larger market share.” In the case of Funchal, where now there is competition RyanairEasyjet says it has already increased its capacity by 46% compared to 2019.
When disclosing annual statements (financial year ended September 30, St. at a loss billion euros), two weeks ago the British company realized that it had won new slots (time ranges for landing and take-off) at Lisbon and Porto airports. In the case of Porto, of these slots Easyjet will be able to operate flights to Milan and Rennes. No details could be obtained in Lisbon. In this case, the decision of the European Commission on the TAP restructuring plan will change the currently existing panorama with the transfer slots competition from the state air carrier.
“We remain aware that many uncertainties remain when sailing in winter, but we see a unique opportunity for Easyjet to attract customers and consolidate its prominence in Portugal in this post-pandemic period,” said José López, quoted in a released statement. company.
In this press release, Easyjet reports that it has consolidated its position as the second largest operator in Porto and Faro this year, “hoping to be able to grow in Lisbon as soon as availability becomes available. slots allow this. ”“ To accelerate the recovery of tourism and the Portuguese economy, it is imperative to provide more slots in Lisbon and Porto and lift government restrictions that negatively affect the freedom of movement of people, ”the British airline defends.
For the person in charge of Easyjet in the national market, the pandemic measures recently taken by the Portuguese government at airports involving airlines (which must monitor passenger compliance with rules such as requiring negative tests for everything) are “counterproductive”. because “they send the signal that vaccination is the same thing.” In addition, he referred to PÚBLICO, this measure contradicts the recommendations of the European Commission and “punishes airlines for performing public health work that must be carried out by states.” The size of the fines, the manager said, which has now been increased, is “disproportionate and unfair,” arguing that the measures have a negative impact on tourism and Portugal’s economy.
Nearly 1,000 passengers and 35 airlines were fined at Portuguese airports in the first 12 days after disembarkation with a negative COVID-19 test or a recovery certificate, according to figures released Monday by the Luce Interior Ministry. In the case of airlines, the amount of the fine can range from 20 thousand to 40 thousand euros, and for passengers, the amount can vary from 300 to 800 euros.