Government wants reduction of air fares without compromising the model that protects the Azorean population
The Government of the Azores believes that "it is possible to improve Public Service Obligations in air transport in order to allow better fares between the Azores and Mainland Portugal and the reverse route," stated the Regional Secretary for the Economy on Monday.
Vasco Cordeiro, speaking to the media after a hearing with the Commission on Economic Affairs, said that "after a change that was targeted at promotional fares, the Government wants to do more in this regard, having already conveyed its willingness among the Government of Republic to carry out these changes."
The governor recalled that "according to the model in force any airline may fly to the Azores, however the question is not on the companies operating here, but whether the model is structured in order to provide the best possible response to residents and non-residents."
"The Government believes that this model protects passengers, but it wants to do more to reduce the price of air fares," stated the Regional Secretary.
Thus, he stressed, "I hope that these changes to Public Service Obligations may be put into effect. The Government of the Azores has done its part and is ready to discuss the matter with the Government of the Republic."
In this context, he said, "our main interest is to protect Azorean passengers, contrary to what happens in Madeira where already public complaints have been lodged concerning the fact that the adopted model did not protect residents." "We want to protect Azorean passengers from what would be a scenario of pure liberalization," concluded the Regional Secretary for the Economy.