TAP increases operations in Porto by 20 percent

TAP is to bring forward its reinforcement of operations at Porto Airport to September 15 in the light of the new conditions brought about with the acquisition of PGA and the possibility of the joint use of the fleets of both companies.

In this way it was possible to anticipate the changes scheduled to be put into practice at the end of October. The Company reaffirms its commitment to strengthen its international operations at Sá Carneiro Airport which is increasingly fulfilling its role as a new operations hub for TAP contributing to the development of the region and the intake of tourists in the north of the Country.

Within this framework, the following major alterations are to be implemented from September 15:

New direct daily flights from Porto Airport to Rome and Brussels operating with PGA airliners.

Continuation of direct flights from TAP to London, Paris, Luxemburg, Geneva and Amsterdam, with double the number of flights to these two cities – Geneva and Amsterdam – which shall be served by two flights a day instead of one.

Continuation also of direct flights operating with PGA aircraft to Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and Zurich. In the case of Madrid, flights are to be reinforced, increasing from two to three flights a day from September 15 and to four flights a day over the winter period.

In this way, TAP operations at Porto thus register an increase of around 20 percent as a result of the alterations package to be introduced. In addition to the destinations within the European network served by TAP out of Porto, operations on intercontinental direct flights will also be maintained to New York, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, flying three times a week to each of these cities.

In total, the TAP network of direct flights from Porto (including Lisbon and Madeira) now covers 17 destinations.

From the start of July, PGA operation traffic indicators are already included in TAP statistics and registered in this month around 175,000 passengers transported on flights from Porto. Add to this amount traffic relating to the previous 6 months (January – June), and the two companies total around 800,000 passengers, representing a 16.3 percent growth in the first seven months of this year.

Globally, TAP is now responsible for 47 percent of all traffic operating from Porto Airport.

By the end of the year, the Company expects to reach one and a half million passengers, reinforcing its position as the main operator at Sá Carneiro Airport.