The Mayor of Horta has voiced strong concern and indignation over the recurring baggage delays affecting Horta–Lisbon flights, after yet another incident on Saturday, September 13, when most passengers’ luggage was left behind despite favorable weather conditions.

In an official letter addressed to the Chairman of SATA Group and other authorities, the Municipality of Horta stressed that these disruptions have caused serious hardship for both residents and visitors. The problem is particularly acute for students traveling to the mainland at this time of year, many of whom carry food items that spoil when bags are not delivered promptly.

The Municipality criticized the allocation of White Airways’ Airbus A320 to this route, arguing that the aircraft cannot reliably transport both passengers and their luggage. It further noted that such planes would be better suited for routes with higher daily frequencies, where any retained baggage could be rerouted the same day.

The City Council has demanded urgent clarification on why this aircraft was assigned to the Lisbon–Horta connection instead of Azores Airlines’ own fleet. It also called for effective measures to ensure all baggage is transported without delay, or in exceptional cases, delivered swiftly to affected passengers.

The letter warned that these recurring failures cause serious inconvenience, undermine passenger confidence, and tarnish the reputation of Faial and the Azores as a premier tourist destination.

From Press Release

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.