The Minister of Infrastructure stated today that the Portuguese Government “does not accept ultimatums or threats” from Ryanair, after the Irish airline announced that it will cancel flights to the Azores in March 2026.
The low-cost airline claimed “high airport taxes” for the end of air connections to and from the autonomous region of the Azores and accused the Government of “inaction”.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 24th Congress of the National Association of Public Road Freight Transporters (), in Vilamoura, in the Algarve, Miguel Pinto Luz said that Ryanair’s statements “were received with enormous surprise”
“Ryanair has accustomed us, over the years, to attitudes and statements outside the normal operating rules between institutions. From the Portuguese Government’s side we will not get the same response”, stated the official.
The minister classified some of Ryanair’s statements “as dishonest”, because they compare periods that “are not possible to compare”.
According to the minister, air navigation fees have been falling since 2023, placing Portugal among the most competitive countries in Europe.
“You just need to evaluate the evolution of rates in recent years and some of the statements are even dishonest from this point of view, because they compare years that it is not possible to compare”, he highlighted.
Miguel Pinto Luz also recalled that “both the Regional Government of the Azores and Turismo de Portugal have supported Ryanair to fly to Portugal and, in this case, to the Azores destination”, over the last few years.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that the Autonomous Region of the Azores is not harmed. But we do not accept ultimatums, threats, or false allegations. We are for the truth”, he concluded.
Ryanair announced on Thursday that it will cancel all flights to and from the Azores from March 29, 2026, justifying the decision with “high fees” and accusing the Portuguese Government of “inaction”, following a 120% increase in air navigation fees and the introduction of a two-euro travel fee.
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