In comments to radio station TSF, State Secretary Guilherme d’Oliveira Martins rejected the idea, saying the government is committed to “investing in reinforcing means of investigation, prevention and safety” but without creating additional taxes.He also stressed that the government has boosted its means for air safety prevention in recent years.
The head of the Bureau for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents (GPIAA) had suggested the surcharge on each flight ticket after denouncing a lack of means within the bureau.
But, State Secretary Martins explained, “More than creating taxes, the government is dedicated to investing in creating funds for reinforcing means of investigation, prevention and safety. We are not creating additional taxes to help the needs of an organism, but within a bigger framework of prevention and safety.”
He further refuted that air prevention and safety is compromised by the Bureau’s lack of means.
In an interview with TSF, the head of the GPIAA, Álvaro Neves, bemoaned the entity’s current financial situation and said the prevention of air accidents could be compromised if the problem is not solved.
“Strangled by a noose until inoperable” was how the GPIAA president termed the situation, adding it has become “even more complicated” this year.
Mr. Neves said in his opinion the creation of a 20-cent per ticket tax is “urgently” needed, and it is “fundamental to also create a reserve fund for the state in the event of a serious accident.”
State Secretary Martins stressed that “in recent years there has been reinforcement in safety and the prevention of accidents through an integrated safety programme by the Portuguese State.”
He added that last year there was also a rise in the number of airlines being audited, and recalled that a measure was implemented to ensure two crew members are in cockpits at all times as further means of safety and prevention.