Ryanair wants to open a new training center for pilots and flight attendants in the Iberian Peninsula and has acknowledged that Porto is one of the opportunities under consideration, said Executive Chairman Michael O’Leary.
“We are interested in opening a training center in Iberia. […] It would be very good if we had a training center. [na Península Ibérica]but we are talking about Porto, not Lisbon,” the head of the Irish airline said at a meeting with reporters at the Ryanair office in Dublin.
The official acknowledged that Porto is a possibility that is being discussed as the company has an express operation at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport.
The location has yet to be determined, but a decision is expected to be announced later this year.
When asked if opening a training center in Portugal would be a way to pressure TAP and the government to vacate airport slots (“slots”), Michael O’Leary dismissed the idea.
“It doesn’t matter to the Portuguese government or TAP. The Portuguese government understands that in the near future it will be forced to sell TAP, possibly to Iberia,” said the head of the Irish carrier, who has repeatedly criticized the government bailout of the Portuguese airline.
As for the 18 “slots” that TAP had to give up at Lisbon Airport (a commitment imposed by the European Commission as part of the current restructuring plan) that were taken over by low-cost competitor Ryanair, easyJet, O’Leary said. that “Tap doesn’t mind competing with easyJet because they both charge high rates.”
“We are not going to grow in Lisbon in the next two years because there are no slots,” he added.
The Ryanair leader also criticized the argument that Lisbon Airport is operating at maximum capacity, handling around 20 million passengers a year, calling it “an anecdote”.
However, “if so,” he said, “open [o aeroporto do] Montijo. “With the opening of Montijo, Lisbon will grow to 30 million passengers in five years,” he said.
Ryanair’s forecasts for the current year indicate the transport of 165 million passengers if the situation does not worsen due to the war, which represents an increase of 15% compared to the period before the pandemic.
Michael O’Leary cited a “very strong recovery this summer”, justifying it with a decision not to lay off workers during the pandemic, instead agreeing with unions to cut wages until 2024, which he explained left the company ready. for lifting, unlike other airlines that have made layoffs.
Asked about inflation and loss of consumer purchasing power, the official said he thought Ryanair would gobble up other airlines’ passengers by charging lower prices.
“Until the cost of living and energy prices stabilize, I think people will be nervous, but I believe there will be a transfer of passengers from other companies to Ryanair,” he said, stressing that “passengers will always have money to travel.” in your company.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
