The parliamentary debate on the economy, when discussing the Plan and Budget for 2026, stated that tourism already accounts for 17% of GDP and 17% of employment, that since 2019 the number of overnight stays has increased by 45% and that revenues have increased by 85%, now representing more than €1 billion. When discussing the hypothetical departure of Ryanair from the Azores, responsible for 8% of passengers carried, allegedly angered by the increase in airport taxes, the Government’s response is that there is no great concern because tourism continues to grow, served by 17 airlines and remains in the sights of others. The simplistic scenario for those who see things from afar could mean that the Azorean economy is on a path to statistical success. The problem is that this much-vaunted development continues to fail to reach all the islands equally, falling short of the goal of harmonious development and equal opportunities.

In the context of this parliamentary discussion, the opposition parties brought up the “fight” between the CDS/PP (coalition partner) of Terceira and the Secretary of Transportation over the reinforcement of SATA flights for the Christmas and New Year season, whose 5,000 additional seats leave out the island of Jesus. The regional secretary defended herself with a statement from the regional carrier acknowledging the error and correcting it by increasing the number of flights between S. Miguel and Terceira to 14, saying that the flights to the mainland (Lisbon and Porto) scheduled meet demand.

It would be difficult to assess this statement were it not for the example of the news we published today about the postponement, for one year, of the National Under-15 Futsal Tournament, organized by the Portuguese Football Federation, which this year was to be held in Terceira between December 26 and 30, involving more than 600 participants, including athletes, their entourages, and companions. The reason given is the lack of available seats on flights between the mainland and Terceira.

Six hundred passengers, traveling round trip, who would boost the island’s economy for a week, are disposable because there is no transportation available? What are the reasons for the increase being concentrated particularly in S. Miguel? Why are 14 flights between São Miguel and Terceira being added? Are the other islands being left out? Is this increase intended, in part, to justify the growing supply between the mainland and São Miguel to channel passengers to Terceira who do not have a direct flight option? Unfortunately, this issue was left out of the parliamentary discussion, which was much more focused on political gossip, seeking to throw a spanner in the works of the government and create rifts in its internal cohesion, driven by chronic parochialism. Obviously, it is tempting, but it is treating things superficially.

In Diário Insular-José Louren’ço, director, and Armando Mendes (PhD), editor-in-chief.

NOVIDADES will feature occasional opinion pieces from various leading thinkers and writers from the Azores, providing the diaspora and those interested in the current state of the Azores with a sense of the significant opinions on some of the archipelago’s issues.

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).