The airlines operating in Portugal are alerting to a possible increase in the price of short-range low-cost flights. This increase is the growing charges supported by the operators.
Costs in high press the aviation sector
The executive director of the association that represents airlines in Portugal, Rena, defended in statements to Lusa that, with operating costs, it is natural that part of this charge is eventually reflected in ticket prices. António Moura Portugal stated that “the equation is simple: if the cost of raw materials and charges, namely tax and fees, rising, someone will have to bear.”
The official also pointed out that short -distance trips are those that may be more penalized, not only for the financial impact, but also as a form of disincentive to its use. This possibility arises in a context where operators seek to adjust to the environmental requirements imposed at European level.
Since the beginning of the year, by the imposition of Brussels, all flights, Low-Cost and not only have to incorporate at least 2% sustainable aviation fuel, known by the acronym SAF in English. This fuel is produced from waste, such as used food oil, and should see its mandatory percentage gradually increase in the coming years.
Sustainable fuel requires readjustments
According to Lusa agency, António Moura Portugal has no doubt that airlines will meet the goals set, but warns that this will have costs that may be transferred to passengers. Rena’s executive director considers that, given the sector’s financial projections, it is impossible to fully or permanently accommodate these additional charges.
In this follow -up, he admitted that some shorter routes, such as those that connect Lisbon to Madrid, Paris or London, may be increased by prices. These routes are operated with smaller aircraft, which represents a less efficient use of the hours available at airports.
The official explained that it would be more advantageous for the airport infrastructure that the slots were occupied by larger capacity aircraft, as they would allow to carry twice the passengers in the same time.
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Impact also on companies with low-cost flights
Faced with the hypothesis that these changes also affect low -cost airlines, Rena’s director responded to Lusa that all operators face the same charges, regardless of the fare they present. “Low-cost can only be low-cost on the fare, because then the rest pay fees and taxes on it,” he said.
This increase may lead to greater awareness by travelers about the real cost of travel, which, according to the same source, is desirable. The perception of the total cost may thus be clearer, namely with the highlight of the additional charges included in the final price of the ticket.
In addition, the fiscal pressure that the sector has faced may contribute to the revision of some companies’ business model, with a direct impact on the offer and frequency of short -distance flights in Portugal.
Carbon rate and support for sustainability
Another factor that is influencing prices is the carbon rate, in force since July 2021, designed to compensate for CO2 emissions in the aviation sector. According to the same source, for the first time a part of this recipe will be channeled directly to support the energy transition in the sector.
The measure, approved last year, foresees the transfer of up to 40 million euros to decarbonization activities, such as support for sustainable fuel production. According to the same source, António Moura Portugal greeted this initiative, despite continuing to contest the existence of the rate because it considers that it has no efficiency rationality.
Still, he stressed that the amounts to be reversed are not intended for the direct profit of companies, but rather to the financing of policies that make sustainability more accessible. One of the objectives is to allow Portugal to take a pioneering role in the production of SAF at European level.
This type of support may help reduce part of the additional costs faced by operators, even if the effects are not immediate. In the long run, they may represent a relief for consumers, but for the trend it seems to be the climb.
According to the statements made to the Lusa Agency, the coming years will be decisive to realize to what extent changes in environmental policies and operating costs will shape the future of air travel in Portugal. Short -distance trips, because they depend on smaller aircraft and less profitable routes, should be the first to have the impact.
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