"In reality, the average rates proposed for 2024 are lower than those in 2019", says ANA in a statement sent to Lusa agency.

ANA was reacting to the statements made by the CEO of the airline Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, who on Tuesday announced the reduction of one plane in Madeira and the reduction in traffic in Porto and Faro due to the increase in airport fees.

He also mentions that this airline's base in Madeira benefits from ANA's incentive program, which constituted "a significant investment".

ANA considers Madeira to be "one of the tourist destinations with the greatest potential for development in Europe", having recorded growth of 10% in the summer of 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year.

Airlines such as easyJet, Wizzair, Azores Airlines and Condor contributed to this indicator, they add.

They also highlight that, despite the announced update of airport fees from January 2024, "several companies show a great interest in continuing to develop connectivity in Madeira".

SATA (Boston and Toronto), easyJet (Geneve and Basel), Jet2 (Liverpool and Belfast) and Wizzair (Rome) are some of the companies that have already confirmed new routes for the next summer of 2024, they add.

ANA highlights that this situation occurs at a time when, according to a recent statement from ACI (Airport International Council) Europe, the increase in fares charged by airlines in Europe is greater than 38% in the summer months (3rd quarter).

Indicating that Portuguese airports are at the top of the fastest growing in Europe, leading in terms of competitiveness, ANA ensures that it "maintains its commitment to the regions to continue developing air connectivity, working in partnership and in an equitable manner with all airlines."

Aeroportos de Portugal emphasises that the proceeds from the fees are used to finance security, operational efficiency and the capacity and comfort of airports, remembering that interventions are taking place at various national airports.

ANA concludes that the fee proposal for 2024 also includes a mechanism to encourage aircraft with lower carbon emissions, a measure in line with the environmental policy of ANA/VINCI Airports and the promotion of decarbonisation of the aviation sector.

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