The Mayor of Vila do Porto on the island of Santa Maria met the day before yesterday in Lisbon with the Chairman of the Executive Committee of VINCI/ANA Aeroportos de Portugal, Thierry Ligonnière, to strengthen contacts regarding the geostrategic importance of Santa Maria International Airport.
Bárbara Chaves explained that this was an important moment to re-establish relations between the two entities, putting the current situation of Santa Maria International Airport on the table about its reopening at night.
The meeting also discussed the maintenance needs of the infrastructure, the new service contract with the Humanitarian Association of the Santa Maria Volunteer Firefighters, and parking areas, among other matters of interest to the airport and the people of Santa Maria.
On the other hand, the airport’s geostrategic position in terms of technical stopovers was demonstrated, with the various requests for reopening that have been made attesting to the importance of this infrastructure.
The meeting was also attended by the President of the LPAZ Association, António Monteiro, who appealed to VINCI to proceed with the treatment, recovery, and maintenance of Santa Maria Airport’s collection and historical archive in conjunction with the municipality, university institutions, the local museum, and LPAZ. VINCI’s executive committee agreed to this proposal.
It’s worth remembering that in December 2022, the mayor had already met with Thierry Ligonnière, showing total openness and willingness to follow up on the matter and participate in any solutions found.
Bárbara Chaves once again stressed her willingness to collaborate at all levels, including, if necessary, a partnership with VINCI.

in Diário dos Açores, Osvaldo Cabral-director

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