Government already working on changes to improve inter-island air accessibility, announces Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government assured that the Government is already working on the revision of Public Service Obligations (PSO) for inter-island air transport in order to provide the Azorean population with better accessibility conditions in terms of inter-island transport.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting with the Flores Island Council, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the National Government's approval of Public Service Obligations for air transport between the Azores, Madeira and Mainland Portugal is critical to the revision process of internal PSO.
"The Government of the Azores is not expecting this approval to begin this work, which is already ongoing; however, we must be cautious and not approve the PSO for inter-island air transport before the National Government concludes the other process," Vasco Cordeiro.
On 18 July this year, the President of the Government announced the conclusion of negotiations with the National Government on the new PSO model for flight connection between the Azores, Mainland Portugal and Madeira. The new model stipulates a maximum price of 134 Euros for air fares and the liberalisation of air routes between Mainland Portugal, Ponta Delgada and Terceira.
This global agreement is followed by other steps, namely the approval by the Council of Ministers and the National Government's notification to the EU Commission to the changes on Public Service Obligations.
"So far, I have no reason to believe that the National Government does not want to solve this situation," said the President of the Government.
After the Island Council, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that, similarly to what happened in all statutory visits, the Government of the Azores sough to explain and clarify the questions raised by the members of the Council as well as to present the work that is being done and the goals to be achieved.