No-frills airline Ryanair has been forced to axe 700 flights to a popular holiday destination in a dispute over airport slots.
The airline's chief executive Michael O'Leary has warned the carrier's route to Portuguese capital Lisbon will face major disruption this winter, blaming national airline TAP for blocking key take-off and landing slots, reports the LiverpoolEcho.
He said: "We deeply regret these unnecessary disruptions to passengers from these cancelled flights and routes caused by TAP’s blocking of slots which it is not using.
"This anti-competitive slot blocking obstructs the growth of airlines and the recovery of traffic, tourism and jobs at Lisbon Portela Airport, to the detriment of Portuguese consumers."
He urged the Portuguese government to step in and resolve the issue affecting one of the airline's most popular winter routes from bases around Europe.
Mr O'Leary continued: "Ryanair remains committed to working with our airport partner in Lisbon, to support Portugal’s tourism recovery and to rebuild connectivity after the Covid pandemic.
"We now call on the Portuguese Government and the European Commission to intervene to free up these unused slots at Lisbon Portela Airport and to urgently open Lisbon Montijo Airport.
"Ryanair will continue to bring millions of new visitors to and from Portugal, investing in tourism and getting travel back to normal, with the widest choice and lowest fares."
Ryanair was among airlines forced to suspend services to Morocco by the North African nation's government this week because of fears over spiralling UK Covid infection rates.
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