Michael O’Leary considers that the Government’s decision is wrong and argues that it is possible to quickly increase the capacity of Humberto Delgado.

“It is absurd to have an increase in costs in 2026 to open Alcochete. ANA will be receiving fees for something that will only be in operation in 2040,” Michael O’Leary said at a press conference in Lisbon. “It’s a scheme,” he said. In the plan presented to the government, the concessionaire foresees the opening of the airport in 2037.

The CEO of the Irish company was very critical of the choice of the Alcochete Shooting Range, considering that the decision “is a way for the Government to pretend that it is doing something to solve the problem”. Michael O’Leary once again insisted on the construction of a new airport in Montijo, “which could be ready in five years”. “By 2040 or 2050, how much growth will Portugal lose to Spain, France, Italy or Morocco?” he highlighted.

He also argued that it is possible to increase the capacity of Humberto Delgado, by reorganising the current terminal 1. According to Michael O’Leary, the capacity could be increased by 40% to 50%. “Portela needs an increase in capacity now”, he said, considering that “there is an artificial traffic constraint” that is used by ANA to increase airport charges.

Ryanair has announced the deployment of two additional aircraft in Portugal, one in Faro and another in Funchal, and the opening of four new routes: one from Porto to Rome and three from Madeira to Milan, Shannon and Bournemouth. It will also increase frequency on existing routes to Brussels, Dublin, Paris and London.

The low-cost airline transported 12.7 million passengers in Portugal last year and is estimated to reach 13 million this year. It also maintains the plan, presented to the government last year, to reach 27 million passengers in Portugal by 2030, but requires the reduction of airport taxes and the increase in capacity as conditions.