TAP Air Portugal Doubles Passenger Numbers, Boosted by Morocco Flights

TAP Air Portugal recorded 4.32 million passengers in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 105.1% compared to the same period last year, "but on a number of flights 50% higher," the company said in a press release. The occupancy rate of its aircraft increased by 20.3 percentage points (and to 105% of the Q3 2019 level, before the Covid-19 pandemic) to reach 87.0%. Compared to the pre-crisis figures, this traffic remains at 85% and the number of flights at 81%. The increase in passenger traffic has allowed the Portuguese national airline based at Lisbon-Humberto Delgado airport to achieve a record turnover for the period: 111 million euros.

Noting that the operational recovery is continuing, TAP Air Portugal reports that "the third quarter was particularly marked by the resumption of flights to Agadir in Morocco." TAP Air Portugal’s operating revenues in Q3 were 2.5 times higher than in the same period last year. They increased from 675.3 million euros to 1.119 billion euros, "which represents 107% of the operating revenues of Q3 19," it is further specified.

"TAP confirms its solid performance in the third quarter with all financial parameters above pre-crisis levels, despite a further increase in fuel costs. Demand for the fourth quarter remains very strong, guiding the expectation of a solid result for the full year. Visibility for next year is however still low," said TAP Air Portugal CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener.