“I would have preferred this matter to be resolved already. These postponements are not worrisome since they aim to guarantee consistency in a solution committed to the European Union, in dialogue and consultation with the workers themselves,” stated José Manuel Bolieiro.
The leader of the Azores Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) was speaking to journalists during a visit to Ponta Delgada airport, accompanied by the ANA administration, following the jury’s decision to extend the deadline for submitting a proposal for the privatization of Azores Airlines.
José Manuel Bolieiro emphasized that the process is the “exclusive responsibility” of SATA Holding’s administration and the jury of the public tender, stressing that the Regional Government “only observes, does not interfere.”
“Naturally, I am concerned because these are delays. On the other hand, it reassures me because the justification lies in ensuring the consistency of a proposal involving, from the outset and through transparent dialogue, the workers,” he reiterated.
The Azorean executive’s president declined to comment on a report by the newspaper Expresso, which on Thursday stated that the Newtour/MS Aviation consortium wants the Regional Government to assume the debt, the loss of 2024, and leave money in the coffers, potentially costing the region around 600 million euros.
Bolieiro, however, highlighted that the privatization proposals for Azores Airlines will be “handled according to realism” and the “complexity of the inherited issues,” promising to “defend the region’s interests.”
“I will not make judgments without knowing binding proposals, as these are the jury’s responsibility. Moreover, what we are dealing with today is a very challenging operation and management over the years due to a very complicated legacy,” he stated.
The jury of the Azores Airlines privatization tender accepted on Monday the request from the Newtour/MS Aviation consortium and extended the deadline for submitting a proposal to purchase the company until November 24.
This marks another extension for the proposal submission, as the jury had initially set the deadline for October 24, which was then moved to November 10.
The privatization of Azores Airlines (part of the SATA group that operates from the Azores archipelago to external destinations) is being negotiated with the Newtour/MS Aviation consortium, with the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) admitting the possibility of a private negotiation or the shutdown of the company if an agreement cannot be reached.
In June 2022, the European Commission approved a Portuguese state aid to support the airline’s restructuring, amounting to 453.25 million euros in loans and state guarantees, which includes measures such as a restructuring of the company’s structure and the divestment of a controlling stake (51%).
