PRICES for holidays in Portugal are set to go up next year because of a proposed increase in airport fees.
The Portuguese airport authority, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, are hoping to raise fees for airlines in 2023.
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The increase could see carriers pay up to 15 per cent more than they currently do for using Portugal’s airports.
Should their proposal go through, passengers would be expected to cover the extra costs through price increases on flights.
ANA confirmed last week that they are hoping to have the higher rates in place by February 1, 2023.
They say the money is needed to pay air traffic controllers, ground staff and baggage staff.
While ANA admit that the increase would have a knock-on effect for passengers, they claim that airfares will not be raised significantly.
They say that average increases per passenger will be up to €1 .53 (£1.34) per passenger.
The hikes amount to €0.35 (£0.31) in the Azores, €0.79 in Madeira (£0.69), €0.81 (£0.71) in Porto, €0.80 (£0.80) in Faro and €1 .53 (£1.34) in Lisbon.
The proposal will have to be approved by the National Civil Aviation Authority before it can be put into place.
Airlines have slammed ANA for the idea – Ryanair has been particularly vocal, calling for the organisation reduce fees instead of increasing them.
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 next year, with Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary warning that the cost of plane tickets will increase for the next five years.
Earlier this year he said that prices were currently too low and would only go up.
Mr 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).”
An expert revealed the big mistakes people could be making when booking holidays that could be costing them money.
This traveller revealed how she keeps costs down enough to afford seven holidays a year.
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