Low-cost airline Ryanair is considering the possibility of having a base at Faro airport and is currently in discussion with Portugal’s airport management company ANA Aeroportos.
Fernando Santos, director of sales and marketing for Ryanair in Portugal, told the Algarve Resident: “We are looking to expand our operations in Faro as well as starting a service to Lisbon and Funchal (Madeira). However, the operational costs are a determining factor.”
According to Fernando Santos, discussions are currently taking place between the airline and ANA Aeroportos as well as many other airports across Europe for new Ryanair bases.
“We are due to receive 102 new Boeing aeroplanes within the next two-and-a-half years, which need to be based somewhere. Our main concern is to ensure that we have the cheapest tariffs so operational costs have to be kept down,” he said.
Fernando Santos added that Ryanair has a good relationship with Portugal’s tourism board, Turismo de Portugal, cooperating to increase the number of British tourists who come to the region.
“Ryanair has grown significantly, with a 105 per cent increase in passenger numbers at Faro airport this year,” he said.
At the time of going to press, no one from ANA Aeroportos was available to comment.
