Transavia Boosts Frequency in Portugal

Dutch carrier Transavia is to boost frequencies on its domestic Portuguese route between Porto and Funchal in Madeira to meet additional peak summer demand. The airline launched the route last summer on a four times weekly basis supported by the Fund for Investment in Tourism Promotion and co-funded by ANAM, the Regional Secretariat of Tourism and Transport and other private sector partners in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. It increased its frequency to six flights per week from April this year. However, it now plans to introduce a seventh rotation between July 2 and August 27, with an additional Saturday flight.

The route is also operated by TAP Portugal on an up to three times daily basis, but Transavia still carried more than 35,000 passengers during 2010, according to ANAM statistics, securing a 16 per cent share of the market. ANAM says Transavia is a key “strategic partner” for Madeira Airport. "We welcome the introduction of an additional frequency on the route Porto-Madeira and we expect to increase the network of destinations with transavia.com very soon," it confirmed to The HUB.