Ryanair has stated that it will have to cancel 700 flights and three Lisbon routes (to Tours, Oujda, and Bari) in winter 2021/2022. 

The low-cost airline says it has to make the cancellations due to the lack of available slots at Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), Portugal, according to a statement given on October 15, 2021.

Despite no longer being able to operate its full schedule of flights, Ryanair aims to keep seven aircraft and crew in place in Lisbon in hopes sufficient slots would “free up”. 

The Irish airline blames Portugal’s national carrier TAP Air Portugal for the situation, accusing the latter of “anti-competitive” behavior by “hoarding” and allegedly possessing more take-off and landing slots than it uses. 

AeroTime has reached out to TAP Air Portugal for comment.