Ryanair to cancel 19 Lisbon routes for summer 2022 due to unused slots blocked by TAP

Ryanair announced Tuesday that it had been forced to reduce the number of Lisbon-based aircraft from 7 to 4 for summer 2022, causing the cancellation of 5,000 flights and 19 routes from Lisbon in Summer 2022 and the loss of 900,000 passengers. This action is due to the fact that TAP continues to block slots at Lisbon airport, which it cannot and will not use this summer. The cancellations will reduce travel options for all visitors, as well as the loss of 150 high-paying aviation jobs in Lisbon. These cancellations – which could have been avoided – take place after numerous attempts, on the part of Ryanair, to ask the Portuguese Government to intervene in the release of unused slots by TAP in Summer 2022. While Ryanair continues to contribute to growth and investment in Portugal, TAP received E3b in state aid, reduced its fleet by 20%, furloughed thousands of people and freed up only less than 5% of its slots in Lisbon, thus blocking the growth of other airlines. Preventing competitors like Ryanair from using these unused slots has a negative impact on Lisbon’s economy, with 5,000 flights cancelled (more than 950,000 seats less), 3 fewer aircraft (an investment of $300m), the loss of 150 well-paying aviation jobs and over E250m in lost tourist revenue for Lisbon this summer.<br/>