In a letter sent to the Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores, the Mayor of Santa Cruz, das Flores, expresses his “deep concern and dissatisfaction with the current situation of Sata’s air transport service to and from the island of Flores for residents who need to travel for medical treatment (consultations, complementary diagnostic tests, surgical interventions and treatments), but also for professional reasons or to meet urgent commitments.”
Pointing out that air transport is the only means that Florentines have to leave and return to their island, José Carlos Mendes explains that “this reason alone is more than enough to understand the importance of this means of transport for the island of Flores.”
The mayor of Santa Cruz das Flores also said that “in this IATA winter period, it’s very difficult [for a resident of Flores Island] to get a seat confirmed for a trip to São Miguel, Terceira or Faial, without having to wait on a waiting list for three, four or more days, whether for departure or return.”

José Carlos Mendes also pointed out that “on the island of Flores, it is very difficult to schedule trips in advance for health reasons,” saying that he understands Sata AIR Açores’ operational and logistical difficulties but that “we can no longer accept that the lack of effective solutions is damaging the quality of life of the people who live and work here”.
Hoping that these constraints will be overcome quickly, the mayor of Santa Cruz das Flores urges José Manuel Bolieiro to “give urgent attention to this problem with concrete actions, that is, to make the necessary seats available on flights to this island so that residents don’t end up on waiting lists to be able to access specialized health care, while for tourists every day facilities are announced and mobility solutions are found, without any difficulty whatsoever.”

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.