At a press conference, the BE deputy in the Azorean parliament, António Lima, referred to the news, "confirmed by the regional secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, that Ryanair threatened to leave the Azores and that, therefore, negotiations are taking place with the government with a view to maintaining the routes operated by the airline".

"Blackmail is part of Ryanair's way of acting, either to try to prevent legitimate strikes for better working conditions, or to extort subsidies from taxpayers in the regions and cities where it operates. Ryanair's threat to stop flying to the Azores constitutes one more example of the predatory way in which this company operates", said the politician.

António Lima criticised Ryanair's way of acting, accusing the company of attempting to "extort subsidies from taxpayers in the regions and cities where it operates" and adding that the company "does not hesitate to demand subsidies", when no other airline that operates liberalised routes with the mainland have them".

"The Regional Government has to disclose all existing contracts between entities financed with public funds and Ryanair, namely VisitAzores, and Chambers of Commerce. We will request these documents from the Regional Government", said António Lima.

The deputy explained that the party will prepare a request, which will arrive, "in the next few days", to parliament requesting this data.

António Lima recalled that "the sky of the Azores is liberalised and anyone can fly, without limitations", so "there can be no direct or hidden subsidies".

Lusa tried unsuccessfully for a comment from Ryanair.