In a statement sent to Lusa, the Newtour/MS Aviation consortium criticized the “unacceptable blocking stance” of SATA Holding’s board, which they claim has “imposed successive conditions on dialogue and consequently prevented workers from understanding the true state of the company.”
The consortium reported requesting formal permission to communicate with workers, unions, and their representatives, yet this request was not approved.
“In practice, SATA’s management is preventing a factual and transparent discussion between employees and the prospective buyers,” it stated, suggesting that SATA Holding’s actions “can only be seen as a maneuver.”
According to the statement, the company understands “that open and honest dialogue is essential for the consortium to present a proposal, and by not allowing dialogue, it not only conceals the airline’s reality but also denies workers the opportunity to learn about the consortium’s strategic plan.”
“Thus, the board has contributed to the spread of misinformation, which has intensified over recent weeks,” it emphasized.
The consortium believes “the future of Azores Airlines is strapped in a ‘straitjacket,’ created by SATA Holding’s management, apparently to prevent privatization, and this responsibility must be acknowledged.”
The Newtour/MS Aviation group “remains committed to presenting a strong solution” for the Azorean airline, but believes this will only be possible “with truth and transparency since that’s the only way to earn the workers’ trust.”
“The time for excuses is over. Either we work together to save Azores Airlines—implying openness to dialogue—or it will become evident who does not want the airline to have a future,” it concluded.
Lusa reached out to the SATA group but has yet to receive a response.
The privatization of Azores Airlines (a company within the SATA group operating from the Azores archipelago to outside destinations) is being negotiated with the Newtour/MS Aviation consortium.
The Regional Government disclosed on Wednesday that the head of the jury for the Azores Airlines privatization competition postponed the deadline for Newtour MS/Aviation to submit a “firm proposal” to November 10.
The jury, led by economist Augusto Mateus, had initially required the Newtour MS/Aviation consortium to present a proposal for Azores Airlines by October 24, a deadline now extended to November 10.
According to the stipulated terms, the consortium must present an “improved proposal,” and besides submitting the proposal by November 10, the jury set a November 24 deadline for submitting supporting documentation.
In June 2022, the European Commission approved a Portuguese state aid package to support the airline’s restructuring totalling €453.25 million in loans and state guarantees, including measures like restructuring the company’s framework and divesting a controlling stake (51%).
