Mr. Machado made the comment at a debate of the 43rd edition of the National Congress of Portuguese Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT).

He said that all Madeiran people have found an ideal ‘entertainment’, which is complaining about the Portuguese airline and the prices charged on plane tickets between the continent and Madeira at Christmas time, New Year’s Eve and in June.

Mr. Machado's statements were considered unacceptable by the head of the Socialist party PS/Madeira, Carlos Pereira, and by the Social Democratic party PSD/Madeira who have presented a protest vote at the regional parliament.