Air cargo in the Azores declined in 2025, with 4,951,938 kilograms shipped (726,337 kilograms less than in 2024), a 12.8% decrease. On the arrivals side, 6,003,961 kilograms of cargo were unloaded, 73,524 kilograms (-1.2%) less than the previous year.

In terms of mail, the volume shipped reached 811,182 kilograms (-4.8%) and the mail unloaded totaled 1,777,509 kilograms (-8.1%). Data from the Azores Regional Statistics Service (SREA) indicate that, in 2025, there were 29,357 aircraft (takeoffs) at the region’s airports and aerodromes.

São Miguel and Terceira account for the majority of volumes

In 2025, the island of São Miguel accounted for 2,973,393 kilograms of cargo shipped (about 60.0% of the regional total) and 3,141,258 kilograms of cargo landed (52.3%). Terceira was the second main hub, with 1,049,786 kilograms shipped (21.2%) and 1,517,357 kilograms unloaded (25.3%).

In terms of mail, São Miguel also led, with 462,040 kilograms shipped (57.0%) and 874,097 kilograms unloaded (49.2%), followed by Terceira, with 246,363 kilograms shipped (30.4%) and 507,255 kilograms unloaded (28.5%).

The reduction in cargo shipped was across the board for all islands. In absolute terms, São Miguel recorded the largest drop, with 522,807 kilograms less cargo shipped than in 2024 (-15.0%), while Graciosa had the largest percentage decrease (-22.2%, 53,777 kilograms less).

In terms of cargo unloaded, the regional result almost stabilized (-1.2%), but with different dynamics: Faial increased by 57,672 kilograms (+16.0%) and Pico grew by 25,000 kilograms (+8.9%), while Terceira fell by 82,159 kilograms (-5.1%) and São Miguel decreased by 35,452 kilograms (-1.1%).

In terms of mail, shipments fell in the region as a whole (-4.8%), despite increases in São Miguel (up 880 kilograms, +0.2%) and Flores (up 1,448 kilograms, +15.4%). Mail deliveries fell on all islands, with the largest absolute reductions in São Miguel (down 69,727 kilograms, -7.4%) and Terceira (down 64,809 kilograms, -11.3%).

Movement throughout the year

In 2025, the highest number of takeoffs occurred in August (3,637) and the lowest in February (1,549). Cargo shipped reached its monthly peak in July (521,144 kilograms) and cargo unloaded in May (577,612 kilograms). In terms of mail, November stood out as the month with the most mail shipped (94,311 kilograms) and unloaded (184,812 kilograms).

In Diário dos Açores-Paulo Viveiros, 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.