Portuguese State Secretary for Tourism Pedro Machado confirmed on Tuesday that the government is engaged in negotiations to expand air connections to the Azores archipelago. Speaking to the Lusa agency in London during the World Travel Market (WTM) fair, Machado expressed confidence that new airlines could position themselves to serve the destination within a short timeframe.
The push for new routes comes after Ryanair ceased operations in the Azores earlier this year, a move Machado acknowledged caused a loss of competitiveness. However, he noted that this impact is being offset by diversification efforts involving United Airlines, as well as Canadian carriers Air Canada and WestJet, alongside TAP Air Portugal.
Statistical data for the period between January and August 2026 reveals a complex trend for the region. While passenger numbers fell by 3% and overnight stays decreased by 2.6%, total tourism spending grew by approximately 4%. Machado emphasized that despite the reduction in visitor flow, the destination did not lose value.
The Azores recently reclaimed the World Travel Award for Best Adventure Destination in Europe, a distinction Machado believes will help persuade additional airlines to operate flights to the islands. This strategic move follows pressure from the Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIPD), which last week demanded concrete measures to reverse the decline in tourist overnight stays.
According to the Azores Regional Statistics Service (SREA), overnight stays in tourist accommodations dropped by 3.5% in September compared to the same period the previous year, totaling 516,400 nights across hotels, local lodging, and rural tourism units. This marks the twelfth consecutive month of decline in overnight stays compared to the homologous period.
The CCIPD has identified several priorities to address these figures, including strengthening tourism promotion in strategic markets, recovering and diversifying air accessibility, capturing new airlines and routes, and ensuring competitive conditions to enhance the destination's overall attractiveness.
Sources: Observador.