This summer’s tourist passenger figures have surpassed all previous records as between June and August 2017, 16 million people passed through Portugal’s ANA-managed airports, two million more than in the same period last year.
At the ten national airports managed by French-owned ANA, 16,312,927 passengers passed through in three months, compared to last year’s figure of 14,120,302.
One of the benefits is that the per capita security charge collected at Portuguese airports for baggage checks is to drop on Wednesday by 22%, from €2.5 €1.94.
This is one of several fees that passengers end up being charged for each time they travel by plane but it’s a welcome reduction.
The fee goes to ANA to pay for security screening equipment and running costs.
One carrier continuing to attract the combined opprobrium of the UK press, is Ryanair whose ‘cancelled flights’ policy has left many customers stranded or with holiday and business trips thwarted.
In Portugal, consumer organisation Deco has received over 300 complaints about Ryanair in just one week.
Ryanair confirmed that it has cancelled 2,100 flights so far. This has affected 315,000 passengers.
"The first complaints came in a week ago and we have had 301 complaints to Tuesday morning," said Paulo Fonseca, Deco’s lawyer, who added that most of the complaints related to compensation claims.
Deco said it has received assurance from Ryanair that it would "settle all disputes", but the consumer champion has accused the Irish carrier of not telling passengers what they are entitled to – standard Ryanair policy.
"We are still waiting for the civil aviation authority, ANAC, to schedule a meeting," said Fonseca, "There has been a violation of the duties of the Irish company due to misleading advertising over cancellations, however, no penalty yet has been imposed."
On Monday, Ryanair claimed to have processed new flights or refunds as at the end of Sunday, covering 97% of the 2,100 customers affected.
DECO reminds Ryanair passengers that Deco will charge just €10 for filing a customer complaint on behalf of anyone whose flight has been cancelled.
