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Every day, more than 1000 flights cross Portuguese airspace.
Counting all private, commercial and cargo flights,
"NAV Portugal" is in charge of a very strategic space
in world aviation.
Between Lisbon and Santa Maria areas,
NAV controls more than 6 million square kilometers,
an area 62 times bigger
than the entire Portuguese territory.
NAV's workers in charge of aerodrome, approach and area control
are responsible for the
safety of millions of passengers
and tons of cargo every year.
Unlike most public companies,
NAV is a self-sustainable company
not depending on the Public budget,
and with about 85% of its revenues coming from foreign clients.
These revenues are for covering costs related to the provision of air traffic services,
through its route rate regulated by Eurocontrol.
This means that NAV is totally supported by the users of its services.
This international regulation model means that cost reduction influences negatively
not only the company income but also its exports.
Notwithstanding having some of the lowest en-route unit rates,
Portugal’s productivity can be compared to that of countries
like Germany, Denmark or the Netherlands.
NAV keeps breaking traffic records,
contributing annually with millions of Euros to the Portuguese Treasury.
However its capacity to provide a quality air traffic control service is threatened.
Not taking into account the specificity of the business,
the government imposed budget cuts that have been applied to all public sectors.
The 15% cost reduction in the company, will be reflected in a decrease of the en-route rates charged.
In the next 3 years we will lose more than 75 million euros in exports
due to these jeopardizing political decisions.
Just in tax contributions it’s the equivalent of keeping the toll of the
25th of April Bridge free during the month of August, throughout the same 3 year period.
Unlike the strategy that was already announced, these measures lead to the impoverishment
of both the company and the country by the decrease in exportations in this sector.
In turn the outcome compromises the sustainability and the development
of a strategic company that helps national interest.
Furthermore these unaligned political ideas
are also influencing a possible dismemberment
of the Portuguese airspace.
Without consulting the workers’ organizations
and against European orientations about social dialogue,
misguided decisions have been taken
that can directly lead to the hand-off of the Portuguese airspace to other countries.
NAV's workers, having been ignored by the government for over a year and a half,
believe that the time has come to protect national interest.
Without any dialog the only alternative is to go on strike.
NAV is a company that has overcame a lot of adversities
and plays a very important role in Europe.
During the eruption of the volcano in Iceland,
it was the only service provider that kept its Europe - America routes open,
ensuring that millions of people reached their destinations safely.
NAV's workers don’t want to turn their backs on their passengers nor their own company.
Day and night these professionals guarantee the safety of air transportation
in a sky that we call ours.... and that is called Portugal.
