The resolution of the Council of Ministers states that expenditure was authorised for a four-year concession period “up to a maximum amount of 13.5 million euros, plus value-added tax (VAT) at the legal rate in force, if no European Union air carrier intends to start providing sustainable scheduled air services, without financial compensation, and in accordance with the public service obligations imposed for the same route”.

The document states that 937,500 euros are still due this year. For the following four years, expenses of 3.75 million euros are planned for 2025, 2026 and 2027 and 1,312,500 euros for 2028.

The Council of Ministers approved this expenditure on February 1st.

Asked last week about the airline career, the Secretariat of State for Infrastructure told the Lusa agency that the establishment of this connection “constitutes a factor of economic and social development, promoting territorial cohesion, contributing to bringing populations closer to the main business, teaching and leisure centres”.

The current concession, to the company SevenAir, ends at the end of this month.