The regularization of payments was confirmed to the Lusa news agency by an official source from the Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM).
On Sunday, the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) alerted that SATA had not yet settled the holiday allowances, which should have been processed last Friday.
“The company was committed to making the holiday allowance payment. It was supposed to be paid on July 18. However, through our members, we found that this regularization had not been done,” said the SNPVAC president in statements to Lusa.
On the occasion, unionist Ricardo Penarróias regretted SATA’s “lack of communication” with the workers.
“We are aware of the company’s current difficult situation. We are conscious of that. And that is why we did not immediately file any complaints with the ACT (Authority for Working Conditions) or legal actions on July 2. We are now waiting,” stated the SNPVAC president.
According to legislation, the holiday allowance must be paid before a worker’s vacation period begins, typically along with the salary of the month preceding the vacation period.
The two airlines of the SATA group, Azores Airlines and SATA Air Açores, ended 2024 with accumulated losses of 82.8 million euros, more than double the previous year, according to data disclosed by the company in June.
Last year, SATA International – Azores Airlines (which operates to and from outside the archipelago) recorded a net loss of 71.2 million euros, compared to a loss of 26.08 million euros in 2023.
Meanwhile, SATA Air Açores (responsible for inter-island connections) reported a net loss of 11.6 million euros in 2024, against a loss of 9.97 million in the previous year.
The accumulated loss of both companies amounted to 82.8 million euros last year, more than double the 36 million reported in 2023.
The privatization of Azores Airlines is under negotiation with the Newtour/MS Aviation consortium.
