“SATA Air Açores is the only company with the capacity to go into debt and, at the moment, it was necessary in order to meet operating costs and suppliers,” said the president of the Workers’ Committee, speaking to Antena 1 Açores after the meeting with regional secretaries Duarte Freitas and Berta Cabral.
The SATA Air Açores unions and the Workers’ Committee met on Tuesday with the regional secretaries for Finance, Planning and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, and for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, Berta Cabral, to analyze the carrier’s situation. In addition to the handling issue, the meeting focused on the company’s financial situation.
Speaking to Antena 1 Açores, the president of the Workers’ Committee, Dário Ponte, confirmed that one of the concerns addressed was SATA Air Açores’ indebtedness, which is used to cover the expenses of other companies in the group. “SATA Air Açores is the only one with the capacity to go into debt and, at the moment, it was necessary to cover operating costs and suppliers,” he said.
Dário Ponte acknowledged that, so far, there is no alternative plan to resorting to the banks, and admitted that the increase in debt is generating apprehension among the workers. “It’s not peaceful for us. We asked what failed in the last bailout approved by the European Union. The answer was vague, but we understand that without this endorsement from the European Union, with the support of the government of the Azores, we would have difficulties in the coming months,” he added.
Azores Airlines is still in the process of being sold and, according to the same source, the regional secretary for Finance, Planning, and Public Administration, Duarte Freitas, reaffirmed that the government hopes to close the deal later this month.

Daniela Canha is a journalist for Correio dos Açores. Natalino Viveiros is the Director.

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