The airports of the Azores recorded a significant decline in passenger traffic during May 2026, according to data released by the Azores Regional Statistics Service (SREA), with both arrivals and departures showing double-digit decreases compared to the same month last year.
A total of 186,824 passengers arrived at airports across the archipelago during May, representing a 12.7% decrease from the 214,033 arrivals registered in May 2025.
The decline was recorded across all major travel segments. Inter-island flights brought 81,790 passengers to the islands, a reduction of 6.1% compared to the 87,100 arrivals recorded during the same period last year. Domestic routes connecting the Azores to mainland Portugal and Madeira accounted for 76,751 arriving passengers, a decrease of 17.6% from the 93,135 recorded in May 2025. International arrivals also fell significantly, dropping 16.3% to 28,283 passengers from 33,798 a year earlier.
Among the nine islands, Corvo was the only one to register growth in passenger arrivals, posting a 27.5% increase compared to May 2025. All other islands experienced declines.
São Miguel recorded the largest reduction, with arrivals falling 16.3%, followed by Terceira with a 9.6% decrease. São Jorge saw an 8.8% decline, while Flores and Santa Maria registered decreases of 8.2% and 7.3%, respectively. More moderate declines were recorded on Faial (-4.7%), Graciosa (-3.9%), and Pico (-2.9%).
Despite the decrease, São Miguel remained the principal gateway to the Azores, receiving 108,302 passengers during the month and accounting for 58% of all arrivals in the region. Terceira followed with 38,355 arrivals, representing 20.5% of the total. Faial received 12,779 passengers, while Pico welcomed 10,170.
The remaining islands registered smaller volumes, with Santa Maria receiving 4,547 passengers, São Jorge 4,177, Graciosa 2,989, Flores 4,935, and Corvo 570.
Inter-island travel continued to account for the largest share of arrivals, representing 43.8% of all passengers landing in the Azores during May. Domestic routes accounted for 41.1%, while international flights represented 15.1% of total arrivals.
Departures followed a similar trend.
A total of 184,184 passengers departed from Azorean airports during May 2026, a decrease of 12.3% compared to the 210,075 departures recorded in May of last year.
Inter-island departures totaled 82,664 passengers, down 5.3% year-over-year. Domestic departures to mainland Portugal and Madeira fell 18.3% to 76,225 passengers, while international departures declined 14.3%, reaching 25,295 travelers.
The latest figures add to growing concerns about the performance of the tourism and transportation sectors in the Azores, particularly following recent reports showing declines in tourist accommodations and reduced passenger demand in several key markets. While seasonal factors and airline network adjustments continue to influence travel patterns, the May statistics reveal a broad slowdown affecting both regional mobility and external connectivity across the archipelago.
Translated and adapted from a story in Correio dos Açores-Natalino Vivieiros, director -Photo from ANA Aeroportos.
