“It is not up to ANA to make any decision on airport solutions, it is up to the Government and Parliament.” Therefore, José Luís Arnaut stressed, this is not the time to comment on any decision on the new Lisbon airport, which by the way does not exist. The statements were made by the non-executive president of ANA this Wednesday in Parliament.

The directors of the concessionaire were called to the economy and public works commission to explain the qualifications that place Portela as one of the worst airports in the world. But the question of the Lisbon airport solution was raised by opposition deputies. José Luís Arnaut avoided commenting on the issue and, in particular, on the content of the order, which determined the development of a complementary airport in Montijo, in a first phase, and a new one in the Alcochete Shooting Range in the long term. — and that was revoked by order of the prime minister.

When the Government and Parliament decide “we will comment on the chosen decision” and when this decision is communicated “we will negotiate the solution established in the terms of the concession contract”. ANA, owned by France’s Vinci, refuses to enter the public debate.

“I know that Portugal is the country of airport specialists, it is the national sport. We listen carefully and respectfully to opinions, but those who manage the airports are the ones who know best about the subject. Vinci is the third largest operator and has that credibility.”

Arnault also stressed that we will give opinions on decided solutions and not on scenarios. “Everything is yet to be decided, make up your mind and call us here.” But he also left the note that the company “will collaborate so that the decision that is made is the best for the country. There is a great sense of urgency that political actors must take into account.”

Despite this position, ANA directors were questioned on several occasions about the new airport solution and about the company’s preferences in relation to the hypotheses on the table. “It is not true that ANA does not have preferences,” stressed the deputy of the Left Bloc, Joana Mortágua. Is it true, as some reports say, that they are available to build the Alcochete Shooting Range? José Luís Arnault refers to a clarification from the company that says that ANA has not entered into negotiations on the subject.

Livre deputy Rui Tavares lamented that ANA does not want to contribute to the public debate on the airport solution, even though it is an interested party. A few minutes earlier, the CEO, Thierry Ligonnières, had devalued the role of the company, saying that ANA has more power than it does.

In fact, the concession contract signed in 2012 establishes that it is up to the airport operator to propose a solution to the exhaustion of the airport, which the company did in 2015 defending the Portela plus Montijo solution before the Government.

The executive president of ANA confirmed that the company will have higher profits this year and that they derive from the increase in airport fees, which, in turn, grow with traffic. And he referred to the income sharing agreement provided for in the contract, which provides for a distribution with the State as of 2023. “Each euro that ANA receives more will generate income for the State.” It is good news for the country, he underlines.

For the deputy of the Communist Party Paula Santos, the company’s profits result from the increase in airport taxes that should have been used to finance the construction of the new airport in Campo de Tiro de Alcochete and accuses Vinco (owner of ANA) of having transformed Lisbon airport. “in a large shopping center”, which contributes to the limitations. José Luís Arnaut assured that ANA made all the investments foreseen in the concession contract.

PS rejects requests to listen to Pedro Nuno Santos on political crisis because hearing on airport is scheduled

Before starting the hearing of the directors of ANA, the socialist majority was unable to listen to Pedro Nuno Santos on the subject of the controversy surrounding the decision on the new airport. The minister’s departure was requested in two requests, one from the PCP and the other from the Bloc, having been voted in favor of all the other parties. Hugo Costa do PS justifies the Socialists’ refusal to allow new hearings with the argument that the Infrastructure Minister’s visit to Parliament next week is already scheduled, precisely with Lisbon airport as the subject, although it was requested before episode that marked the political crisis last week. The appointment of Pedro Nuno Santos in the commission is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, but has yet to be confirmed by himself.