In the first nine months of this year, the SATA Group recorded a positive consolidated EBITDA of 40.4 million euros, compared to an EBITDA of 13.2 million euros in the same period last year. EBITDA is the net result before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
From January to September, there was “consistent growth” in the SATA Group’s consolidated revenues, reaching 300.5 million euros, which represents an increase of around 75 million euros (+33.2%) when compared to the same period in 2022, according to the statement distributed by the SATA Group’s management.
In the same period, 1.9 million passengers were transported, corresponding to +410,000 passengers (+27%) compared to last year. Compared to the pre-pandemic period (the nine months of 2019), +532 thousand passengers were transported (+39%). The available capacity increased by 47% compared to the nine months of 2022 and by 30% compared to the nine months of 2019.
Grupo SATA’s net profit improved by 28.5 million euros compared to last year’s period. Repayment of the SATA Group’s 60-million-euro bank debt “will enable savings of around 18 million euros by 2026”.


Azores Airlines – Revenues increased by 28.3%
SATA Internacional – Azores Airlines reached 116 million euros in revenue and exceeded 100 million euros in a quarter for the first time. Azores Airlines’ operating revenues increased by 28.3% in the 3rd quarter of 2023 (+25.5 million euros) compared to the 3rd quarter of 2022, reaching 115.8 million euros. Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2019, the increase was 79.3%, corresponding to +51.2 million euros. In the nine months of 2023, it reached 226.8 million euros (+66.3 million euros compared to the nine months of 2022).


SATA Air Açores with revenues of 86.3 million euros
For its part, SATA Air Açores recorded accumulated revenues of 86.3 million euros, up 18.7% on the same period last year (13.6 million euros more), a growth boosted by the increase in passengers carried, up 30,000 on the same period last year.
According to Grupo SATA, this growth was boosted by the increase in passengers carried, +30,000 compared to the same period in the previous year. An early repayment of a 60 million euro bond loan eased the pressure on interest payments and the balance sheet. In the 3rd quarter of 2023, SATA Air Açores’ revenue increased by 31.3% (+9.8 million euros) compared to the 3rd quarter of 2022, reaching 40.9 million euros. Compared to the 3rd Quarter of 2019, the increase was 18.4 million euros (+82.1%). Operating income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was 12.3 million euros in the 3rd quarter, compared to 5.8 million euros in the 3rd quarter of 2022. Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2019, the variation was +9.4 million euros.
In the 3rd quarter of 2023, SATA Air Açores “continued the upward trend in its operational activity”, carrying 366,000 passengers, +9% compared to the same period last year and +30% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2019. 6,866 flights were operated, +5% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2022. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the variation was +28%.
The load factor was 79.3% (versus 75.7% in Q3 2022 and 81.3% in Q3 2019).
In the nine months of 2023, SATA Air Açores carried 770,000 passengers, +15.3% compared to the nine months of 2022, with a load factor of 74.5% (+2.5 percentage points compared to the nine months of 2022). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the 3rd quarter of 2023 amounted to 9.1 million euros, +5.6 million compared to the 3rd quarter of 2022. The increase was more significant than the 3rd Quarter of 2019, totaling 9.2 million euros.


SATA Air Açores’ net profit in the 3rd quarter of 2023 was a positive 5.8 million euros, compared to 3.9 million euros in the 3rd quarter of 2022 and a negative 900,000 euros in the 3rd quarter of 2019.
SATA Air Açores achieved revenue in the 3rd quarter of 2023 of 40.9 million euros, +9.8 million euros, which represents a growth of 31.3% compared to the same quarter last year, and +18.4 million euros compared to the 3rd quarter of 2019, the pre-pandemic period.

in Correio dos Açores – Natalino Viveiros, director