TAP has ditched its free air travel scheme for top-ranking politicians.
"TAP is working with the government to establish new rules on the conditions to be applied to the travel of public servants, to be adopted shortly," read the rather stiff notice from the airline this morning.
What will shock many, and leave even more groaning with disbelief at this example of corporate largesse, is that the arrangement existed in the first place.
TAP is said now to be negotiating a solution with the Government that could still involve special tariffs or discount packages for members of PM, Antonio Costa’s inner circle, but not at the old 100% discount level.
The main thing is that the free tickets and Business Class upgrades are over, politicians and top advisors will have to travel with those they represent, however unpalatable this might be.
TAP’s management, led by Antonoaldo Neves, said it does not make sense that TAP, now a privately managed company, continues to offer the existing freebies scheme to top State employees.
TAP is 50% owned by the State and 45% by the Atlantic Gateway Consortium, in turn owned by Humberto Pedrosa and David Neeleman. The remaining 5% is for airline staff.
The airline is said to be keen to offer appropriate special rates and discounts but things could not continue the way they were.
