TAP expects to transport 20 million passengers by 2020
TAP expects to reach 20 million passengers by 2020, with an estimated 17.5 million in 2019, according to the company’s executive president, Antonoaldo Neves, in Toulouse.
The manager, who went to the French city to deliver TAP to the first A330neo at Airbus’s facilities, said that the company “expects to continue revenue growth by 10% for the year.”
“My goal is to have 17.5 million passengers for the year, this year will be 16 million, and I hope to reach 20 million passengers by 2020,” he said.
But for the growth of the airline, it is essential that TAP manage to overcome the constraints of Lisbon airport. For this, Antonoaldo Neves reported on a study that the company carried out and that identifies the main problems of day-to-day operation.
“In our view, we need to have quick exits to the airport,” in addition to “expanding the taxiway, and reviewing the flow of airspace,” explained Antonoaldo Neves. With this, TAP believes that “airport punctuality can increase by 10 to 20 percentage points“.
The airline said the CEO, “presented the study to stakeholders and has had very productive discussions.”
As for the responsiveness of the manager ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal to implement this measure, Antonoaldo Neves said he was “very convinced that the work that can be done will be for mutual benefit.”
“I do not see why it is that the operator will not want to invest in infrastructure when it knows that it is at full capacity. It is a natural process, but we can not wait two years,” said TAP’s chief executive.
For Antonoaldo Neves, the works have to start “already”.
The airline is the first in the world to receive Airbus’ A330neo on an operating lease through Avolon.
“The aircraft will fly to almost every destination we are in now and still widen,” said the TAP leader.
TAP has about 90 aircraft today, said Antonoaldo Neves, who has once again ensured that the punctuality of flights is improving. “Today, TAP’s total punctuality was 91.7%”, he said.
The A330neo will also imply savings of between 15% and 20% for the airline.
Antonoaldo Neves rejected criticism from the president of the Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT), Pedro Costa Ferreira, who told that “TAP is the biggest problem currently” for these companies, due to what it says is the quality of service and punctuality of the company.
“I need data and facts to discuss this,” he said, noting that he could not understand the criticism.
