“These are obscene prices”, declared PSD deputy Bruno Melim in the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira.
The question was raised by the Social Democratic parliamentarian Carlos Rodrigues, who stated that “a person from Madeira who intends to come home at Christmas will pay €1,143 to fly with TAP”.
The deputies recalled that these prices are charged by an airline whose share capital is 72.5 percent owned by the State, considering that the Government of the Republic looks at Portugal “as starting in Braga and ending at the tip of Sagres”, without assuming its Atlantic dimension.
Bruno Melim indicated that the prices demanded by TAP at Christmas are “two and a half times more expensive than in an English company”, so students from Madeira who attend educational establishments in the continent are only able to return to the region at this time due to the student programme “Insular”.
Based on this programme implemented by the Regional Government, students residing in Madeira only pay €65 for trips between the island and the mainland.
The deputy referred that the State Budget for 2021 includes funds for the mobility subsidy only for air travel, but refuses to solve the problem of maritime connections with the continent, placing this financial responsibility firmly on the Regional Government.
The parliamentary leader of PS / Madeira, Miguel Iglésias, admitted that he agreed with the criticisms aimed at TAP and considered it “a shame what you have to pay” when a person wants to travel at this time, so he proposed that the parties in the region “work together on this matter, to try to solve the problem”.
Well, if somebody is daft enough to buy such an expensive ticket from TAP, then so be it. The problem might be that by the end of C19 there will only be nationalized airlines left and then the prices will be as it is politically intended. With the argument that flying is bad for the CO2 balance the state will then prevent us form flying anyway.
By John Dough from Lisbon on 30 Oct 2020, 08:37
If this is true, shame on airline and the Potuguese government to allow such but, it's nothing new...shame on those involved...no wonder Mr D Neelman is no longer involved with airline...
By Kenneth A Bettencourt from USA on 30 Oct 2020, 17:54
Olá boa noite.
Estou a escrever este comentario, porque Estou a ver pessoas a dizer que os bilhetes da TAP estao muito caros.
Eu tenho visto as mesmas datas, e o preço anda a rondar por volta dos €350
Acho muito estupido as pessoas andarem a dizer mentiras. Para mim sao burloes....
By Arlindo Agrela PEREIRA from UK on 30 Oct 2020, 20:18
who needs flying ,,,,???? tourists will come by,,,,,,,,CO2 friendly,,,,,,bicycle,,,,!!!!!
By Matt from Lisbon on 30 Oct 2020, 20:21
lol..I thought they were obscene long before covid.
By Nona from USA on 30 Oct 2020, 21:26
Typical TAP a complete rip-off and state aided corruption
By Richard from Madeira on 30 Oct 2020, 22:35
This kind of increases is big rip off
By Dino Rosa from Other on 31 Oct 2020, 21:09
TAP and those who keep bailing them out need to wake up. Unfortunately we are at their mercy. Wish Madeira had their own airline and we didn't have to go via Portugal. Willbe interesting to see outcome. Thanks for bringing it up
By Lucia Teles from Madeira on 01 Nov 2020, 21:58
They should start by refunding flights that were cancelled in March. They have no customer service at all.
By Vicki from Other on 03 Nov 2020, 13:32
They will earn your money and a few week or days before departure they will cancel the flight. And no money back!
By PINNOY from Other on 03 Nov 2020, 13:43