In a post shared today on Facebook following an urgent debate initiated by the PS in the Azorean parliament this week regarding SATA, Francisco César emphasized that the airline’s significance to the mobility of Azoreans, the economy, and employment “necessitates a serious evaluation of the company’s present and future.”
“The current situation of the group demands more than rhetoric: it requires responsibility, precision, and courage to rectify paths that have proven not to serve regional interests. Count on us to continue advocating for solutions that genuinely save SATA and always prioritize the Azores,” reads the post.
Francisco César asserts that “the promise to save SATA,” including SATA Air Açores, which operates the air connections between the nine Azorean islands, “seems increasingly difficult,” noting that “after nearly five years and substantial investments,” the situation “has worsened.”
“Unfortunately, the situation today is worse than it was in 2020,” states the regional PS leader, advocating for “urgent and structural solutions to ensure stability and a future” for SATA and its workers, “men and women who, despite instability and salary defaults, continue to give their best to help the company fulfill its role.”
The leader of PS/Açores and a deputy in the National Assembly, recalled that during the parliamentary debate held on Tuesday, PS presented three essential proposals to guarantee the group’s viability and protect SATA Air Açores.
“These proposals include effectively separating the SATA group’s administrations, selecting qualified managers through a specialized recruitment firm, reviewing the Region’s stance on handling in discussions with Brussels, and strengthening parliamentary oversight during the privatization process of SATA Internacional,” notes the socialist in his post.
Francisco César further warns that “simply repeating expectations for change does not generate the necessary transformation and only leads to repeated failures, marked by a lack of transparency and questionable, disjointed decisions.”
He assures that the PS “will always be available” to “be part of the solution for the group’s viability” and that the party will maintain “a responsible stance and commitment to regional interests.”
Earlier in December, it was announced that the chairman of SATA’s board, Rui Coutinho, submitted his resignation. Meanwhile, the Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) announced they would appoint the chief financial officer, Tiago Santos, as the group’s leader.
Previously, on November 24, the consortium Atlantic Connect Group submitted a proposal of 17 million euros for 85% of the share capital of Azores Airlines, and the Government of the Azores requested an extension from the European Commission for the company’s privatization deadline by one year, until December 31, 2026.
Azores Airlines reported losses of 33.3 million euros up to September, according to a statement from the SATA Group, highlighting a 5% improvement compared to the first nine months of 2024.
In June 2022, the European Commission approved Portuguese state aid to support the airline’s restructuring, totaling 453.25 million euros in loans and state guarantees, with measures including restructuring the structure and divesting a controlling stake (51%).
