New air transport model is the one that best serves the Azores, says Vasco Cordeiro
The President of the Government stated today that the new air transport model for the Azores is the one that best serves the Region, ensuring that its Government is committed to improving some aspects to enhance its benefits on all islands.
"There is not the slightest doubt that we are committed to improve what is necessary so that this model can bring benefits to all island, despite the different solution implemented throughout the archipelago," assured Vasco Cordeiro.
Speaking at the Regional Legislative Assembly, the President of the Government restated that the Azorean Government "is on the side of SATA" in order to help, under the rules that came into force recently, the regional airline meeting the challenges it faces.
"This is a time of change, transformation and new challenges arise in several areas of the regional air transport sector," Vasco Cordeiro said, stressing that the enhancement of the benefits brought by the new accessibility model to the regional economy is yet to be demonstrated.
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro stressed also that the growth of tourism that was registered in recent months - 24.1 percent increase recorded in February this year - is not related to the changes in the air accessibility model. This evidences the results of the work that has been developed by the Government in this area.
The President of the Government expressed, once again, bewilderment at the fact that TAP has cancelled Faial and Pico routes, given that the National Government, when approved the terms of the company's privatisation, ensured that the national airline would maintain public service routes for Autonomous Regions.
"Even before TAP is privatised, it is National Government itself that tacitly accepts the fact that TAP has cancelled these public service routes," said Vasco Cordeiro.