“Portela is the worst airport in the world,” says CEO of TAP

TAP CEO Antonoaldo Neves doesn’t understand why an eventual airport in Montijo is the central thought when there are problems to be solved in the current one, in Portela. The manager accuses the airport concessionaire, ANA, of not investing in infrastructure and says that the airline will stop betting on growth as well.

“Portela is the worst airport in the world, and it will get worse next year and the next”, said Neves, at the press conference where he reported losses of 105.6 million euros last year. “It is unacceptable that there is no date for investment. TAP has decided that it will not invest any more. TAP is not willing to invest more without knowing what will happen.”

In its report, the airline said it had invested over 1.5 billion euros in 2019, including the purchase of 30 new aircraft, which allowed 70% of the long-haul fleet to be renewed in one year. During the year, it inaugurated 11 new routes and hired around 900 new workers.

For 2020, the plan is to continue the restructuring, in particular by continuing to cut costs and strengthening the presence in North America (which has gained Brazil’s market share). But ANA’s lack of investment in the airport is – for Antonoaldo Neves – a problem.

“Why can’t we work on time? There are many restrictions at Lisbon airport,” said the CEO. The company had 35 days limited by fog and another 129 by military exercises, having accumulated a loss of 35 million euros due to irregularity costs. “Portela has to consider that. It is not acceptable that Portela does not have ILS, which is a support system in case of fog.”

The limited space at the airport is also creating constraints for the airline which had requested 9,000 slots (in practice the authorisation to take off the landing at an airport) for the summer and was allocated 1,500 less, as ECO had reported.

Each year, airlines project the number of expected movements taking into account flight, passenger and revenue targets, but this is always dependent on the existence of slots.

“We ask a few because we are aware of the limitations. Our competitors asked for 23% more. It is not possible, there is no space because there is no investment. I’ve been here for two years and no investment has been made,” Antonoaldo Neves said.

The CEO confirmed he’s already warning the various parties – in the tourism sector, but also ANA itself and the NAV – that they will have 1,500 fewer flights. He guaranteed that all passengers will be protected, but recalled that there are 150,000 fewer tourists contributing to tourism in the country. “TAP is outraged that it cannot grow. But we have ways to mitigate it. TAP doesn’t depend on 1,500 slots.”

Even so, he considers that “it’s urgent to work on Portela’s issues” and, on TAP’s part, there’s interest in putting pressure on it because it could reduce costs, Antonoaldo Neves added, complaining that he’s only being asked about the new airport. “TAP is not going to Montijo. That decision is taken by the executive committee. It is not a matter of dispute.”