The President of PS-Madeira met today with representatives of the Air France KLM group, one of the companies that is interested in acquiring a share in TAP – Air Portugal. The company has submitted a non-binding offer to buy a minority stake as part of the airline’s privatisation process. In turn, the Portuguese Government is planning to sell between 44.9% and 49.9% while keeping the majority control.
Air France is one of the two final bidders. The other is the Lufthansa group.
Célia Pessegueiro praised the company’s stance of wanting to listen to the various partners in the Region, giving an account of its intentions regarding the acquisition of the flagship company and showing openness to understand the concerns of the Madeirans regarding this process.
The focus of the meeting was to discuss the service provided to residents, and the insular condition of the Region and its dependence on air transport. Célia Pessegueiro stressed the importance of reviewing the frequency of flights to Madeira. An issue that, in fact, has received the full attention of the company’s representatives, claiming that it already has extensive experience in this area, given the links with France’s most outermost regions.
Another concern expressed by Célia Pessegueiro has to do with the need for TAP to maintain public service responsibilities, something fundamental for residents in the Region, as this is the only means of passenger transport to and from Madeira and Porto Santo. On the other hand, it is also crucial to ensure the connection to diaspora countries, particularly Venezuela and South Africa, where significant communities of Madeiran emigrants and Portuguese descendants are based.
The value of trips between Madeira and the mainland was also addressed, with the president of the PS-M noting that the liberalisation of the line has caused prices to skyrocket and drawing attention to the fact that, despite the mobility subsidy, trips are at unaffordable prices for many residents, who still have to advance the full value of the tickets. According to Célia Pessegueiro, this or another group that enters TAP’s capital should take this issue into account, not least because this is a profitable line, not only because there are many residents in need of travel, but also because there are many tourists visiting the Region. “We believe that it would be important to pay particular attention to travel between Madeira and mainland Portugal, ensuring a reduction in prices for residents, contrary to what has been seen in recent times,” she said.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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