This Thursday, the National Association of Travel Agencies expressed concern about the risk of instability at Portuguese airports just a few months into the summer, pointing out uncertainties in the process of granting ground handling licenses.
In a statement, the association “shows concern about the uncertainty surrounding the process of granting ground handling licenses (‘handling’) at Portuguese airports, warning of the risk of operational disruptions in critical phases for national tourism”.
According to ANAV, what is at stake are “recent developments in the competition, namely the ongoing legal challenge”, as well as the fact that the process has not been concluded for approximately two months before the currently defined deadline.
The association warns that this situation could compromise the normal functioning of airport operations.
Risk of impact on airport operations
“As for us, this situation raises serious doubts regarding the operational stability of the airport sector, which could result in negative impacts on the punctuality of flights, baggage handling and the overall experience of passengers during the high season”, stated Miguel Quintas, president of ANAV, cited in the same note.
“We are entering a decisive phase for national tourism with many uncertainties”, he indicated, also pointing out issues such as the EES (new ‘software’ used at airports).
“The sector needs predictability and cannot take risks in an area as critical as airport handling”, concluded Miguel Quintas.
I call for an urgent solution
The association also reported on the “direct impact that possible constraints may have on travel agencies, which may be called upon to manage operational changes, delays or irregularities, with consequences for consumer confidence and the quality of the service provided”.
Therefore, he appealed to the competent authorities “to ensure, as a matter of urgency, a stable solution that guarantees the continuity, reliability and efficiency of airport operations”.
On March 18, the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) assured that its performance in the handling competition complies with the principles of legality, transparency and ethics and confirms that the Clece/South consortium delivered all documentation on March 15.
At the beginning of the year, the regulator granted the Clece/South consortium the license to provide ground handling services at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports for seven years, surpassing SPdH’s proposal. The winning consortium brings together the Spanish company Clece and the handling company of the group that owns Iberia (IAG).
“The National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) is analyzing the documentation presented and will report to the competitor and other interested parties the results of the ongoing analysis, as stipulated by law, such analysis can be carried out within a maximum period of 90 days”, he told Lusa.
Regulator guarantees that “it will take into account the expiration date of current licenses”
However, the regulator guarantees that “it will take into account the expiration date of the current licenses and the need to guarantee regular and undisrupted operations, and will therefore decide in time, that is, before the said period expires”.
Menzies, in turn, took precautionary action at the Lisbon Administrative and Fiscal Court to contest the tender, arguing that it disagrees with the design of the tender process and the way in which it was conducted, considering that it “does not adequately reflect” the operational dimension, complexity and security requirements inherent to ground handling activities at the busiest Portuguese airports.
Also read:
