The general director of TAP, Christine Ourmières-Widener, assured this Friday that the company “will work on the implementation of the decision” on the location of the new Lisbon airport “as soon as it is taken”. In an act that served to present a new alliance between TAP, ANA Aeroportos and Galp for the decarbonization of the industry, the general director of TAP insisted that the decision on the location of the new airport is “important”, but questioned the preference of the company, Ourmières-Widener said that it did not have enough details to answer the “who, how and where”, highlighting only that “any solution will be productive for the industry and for Portugal”.

The general director of ANA Aeroportos, Thierry Ligonnière, was also consulted about the new airport, also underlining the “urgency” in decision-making. “The tourism sector, the parties, everyone has the feeling that a decision is urgently needed. We believe that the Government and the consulted entities will define the best path, and we will be on the side of the government to implement the solution”, he pointed out. ANA’s CEO has also said that the company wants to start work on expanding airport capacity in the Lisbon region “as soon as possible”.

The CEO of TAP also referred to the last “difficult days” experienced by the industry, which caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights, assuring that the situation in recent days has improved. “It does not mean that we are happy, an airline has to work on time. But we have seen improvements in recent days.”

“We are experiencing difficult days in the industry, not only in Portugal but everywhere. We are optimizing processes, we are working hard with our partners to improve the situation. We have infrastructure limitations, of course, but the delays are also due to delays at other airports. I’m not saying we’re happy. We have seen improvements in the last few days and we are taking measures, such as hiring cabin crew”, he concluded.

From Lisbon to Ponta Delgada with 39% sustainable fuel

The general directors of ANA, TAP and Galp met this Friday at Lisbon airport to sign a protocol that aims to contribute to the decarbonisation of industry in Portugal. From the Humberto Delgado airport, the first flight provided with sustainable aviation fuel, that is, sustainable aviation fuel. It is made from waste, recycled used oils and other sustainable raw materials, explains Galp.

The partnership signed between the two companies provides for the development, production and supply of this fuel from Portugal. The fuel supplied today was purchased by Galp from the world leader Neste, from Finland. But Galp’s goal is to start producing it in Sines. Also because community regulations require the incorporation of this type of fuel. From 2025, aviation must include at least 2%. The target increases to 5% by 2030 and 63% by 2050.

Two flights with this type of fuel, from Air France and Transavia, have already arrived in Portugal, but both had less than 39% of material from renewable sources. The flight that departed this Friday from Lisbon emitted 35% less CO2 than an ordinary flight. Galp and TAP did not provide details on the volumes and amounts involved in the association.

Galp’s plans include not only being a supplier but also a supplier of this type of fuel. Next year, Andy Brown revealed, the company will start building a production facility. The amount that will go to TAP was not disclosed. Galp supplies around 40% of the fuel used by TAP, the manager said, with 75% supplied in Portugal.