Street in the old town of Tavira in the Algarve region of Portugal
(Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)Prices for holidays in Portugal are set to increase next year, because of a proposed rise in airport fees.
The Portugese airport authority, ANA Aeroporotos de Portugal, is hoping to raise the fees for airlines in 2023, reports the Sun.
The proposed increase could see airline carriers paying up to 15 per cent more than they currently do for using Portugal’s airports and, should the proposal go through, passengers would be expected to cover the extra costs.
Last week, ANA confirmed they’re hoping to increase the rates, saying they want them in place by February 1, 2023.
The money is reportedly needed to pay air-traffic controllers, ground staff, as well as baggage staff, too.
This latest increase to fees will kick in from February and will see passengers pay an extra 30 pence in the Azores region, 69p in Madeira, 71p in Faro, and £1.34 in Lisbon, reports the Mirror.
An additional charge of 10 per cent will also be levied on every plane, a fee which will also probably be passed on to customers.
The increase to fees comes off the back of two increases that have already been introduced this year, with an extra £3, as well as £2.50 charge per passenger, which has been added in September and February respectively.
The money will be used to pay for air-traffic controllers, security, and baggage crews.
The proposals have already come in for some flack from Portuguese airline TAP, which claims that the extra charges will deter passengers, reports the Mirror.
A spokesperson said: “The increase in fees will harm the recovery of tourism in Portugal.
“There is no justification for a 15 per cent increase in ANA’s already high airport fees, especially when Portuguese air and tourist traffic is still recovering after the pandemic and should be supported with lower airport fees.”
Portuguese airline TAP Air Portugal is also unhappy with the proposals, with a spokesperson saying: “The increases will contribute to worsening the economic situation of TAP Air Portugal, the main customer of the national airports, and the passengers in general.”
Air fares are expected to rise across the board early next year, with Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary saying that the extra costs of plane tickets will increase for the next five years.
Earlier this year, he said that prices are currently too low, and that they will only go up, reports the Sun.
O’Leary told the Financial Times: “It’s too cheap for what it is.
“I find it absurd every time that I fly to Stansted, the train journey into central London is more expensive than the air fare.
“It has been my doing [taking prices so low]. I made a lot of money doing it.
“But, ultimately, I don’t believe air travel is sustainable over the medium term at an average fare of €40 (£34).”
