The Regional Director for Transport expressed the Regional Government's satisfaction with the beginning of the private air cargo transport operation that will connect the Azores and Mainland Portugal starting today.
"The Regional Government is very satisfied with the operation of the Mais Consortium," Luís Filipe Melo said, stressing that "it complements the air cargo transport capacity to and from the Region," in addition to increasing the range of options available to companies and citizens for the transport of goods.
The Regional Director also expressed the belief that this operation "will certainly benefit the local economy and, particularly, the island of Terceira," which will be served three times a week, thus complementing the five weekly connections between Mainland Portugal and Ponta Delgada.
Luís Filipe Melo also stressed that the Regional Government remains committed to the process of reviewing Public Service Obligations (PSO) for Air Cargo. It is up to the National Government to define, approve and enforce these obligations.
"We maintain the intention to define Public Service Obligations because, from the Government's standpoint, these are the ones that guarantee predictability in terms of continuity, frequency and service capacity," stressed the Regional Director. According to him, "Public Service Obligations ensure the referral of cargo and, therefore, tariff equity for all islands."