The taxpayer funded air-link between the north and the south of Portugal starts on Wednesday, December 23rd with an inaugural flight from Bragança to Vila Real, Viseu and Cascais before landing at Alvor, Portimão at 10:05 to a reception of press and local bigwigs.
Portimão taxpayers have paid to upgrade the aerodrome reception building and the council has ensured that all the correct safety precautions are in place.
AeroVip ran a test flight today on the northern links with Minister Pedro Marques on board accompanied by the airline’s boss, Carlos Amaro.
The northern part of the route ran for 15 years until it was suspended three years ago as it could not operate without a large annual subsidy from the EC which had been discontinued.
Bragança-Vila Real-Lisbon has now had Viseu and Portimão added under a three year license which will cost the Portuguese taxpayer €7.8 million in subsidising the privately owned AeroVip.
The 18 seats are available at various fare types with one round trip operating in the off season and two trips scheduled for the summer.
Comments
Of course the rail link was an order of magnitude higher in cost, but it would have ensured the viability of the vital tourist trade in the event that future carbon taxes or other economic forces significantly increase the cost of air travel.
The railway would have been a long term strategic asset, but was canceled at huge cost to impress everyone with the "austerity" program.
This route might be fun, but it has no practical value.