Ride-hailing giant Uber has officially launched operations in the Azores, marking its full national coverage across Portugal and introducing, for the first time, app-based mobility services in the archipelago.

The rollout began April 1 on São Miguel Island, where the service will operate բացառively with 100% electric vehicles—aligning with regional regulations and the company’s broader sustainability goals. In a statement, Uber described the move as “a new step in its expansion in Portugal,” emphasizing its commitment to delivering “more accessible, sustainable, and efficient mobility solutions” to underserved regions.

Francisco Vilaça, Uber’s general manager in Portugal, called the launch “an important milestone,” noting that the company is now present throughout the entire country. “This debut, powered exclusively by electric vehicles, reflects our continued investment in sustainability and in building cities that are more efficient and future-ready,” he said.

The company added that roughly 50% of all kilometers traveled via its platform in Portugal are already completed using zero-emission vehicles—a figure that rises to 58% in cities like Porto. With the Azores launch, residents and visitors alike can now request rides through the Uber app, gaining access to what the company describes as a “simple, convenient, and safe” transport solution built on more than a decade of technological development.

Uber’s presence in the region will also complement its existing delivery service, Uber Eats, and extend access to Uber One, its subscription program offering benefits such as discounted rides, reduced delivery fees, and exclusive promotions.

The expansion comes as the travel and tourism sector in the Azores continues to evolve. Later this month, the GEA Portugal will conclude its nationwide cycle of regional meetings in Ponta Delgada, bringing together travel agencies and industry stakeholders.

Scheduled between April 13 and 17, the meetings will take place in several Portuguese cities before culminating in the Azores. The sessions aim to strengthen ties with partner agencies, align strategic priorities, and share insights on business development in a rapidly changing travel landscape.

Key topics will include performance analysis, partnership consolidation, identification of new market opportunities, and the introduction of technological tools designed to improve operational efficiency and profitability. According to GEA Portugal’s commercial director, Nuno Tomaz, the gatherings serve as “a vital moment for networking, sharing, and progress,” helping participants “prepare for the future with confidence and ambition.”

Together, Uber’s arrival and the upcoming industry meetings point to a region increasingly integrated into both national mobility networks and the broader dynamics of global tourism—where innovation and connectivity are becoming as essential as the destinations themselves.

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.