Pilots union approves privatisation of Azores Airlines
Portugal’s Civil Aviation Pilots Union (SPAC) has approved a privatisation agreement with the consortium Newtour/MS Aviation by 75% of the votes.
“Pilots have done everything within their reach to find solutions and will not accept responsibility for an eventual failure in the process”, says Frederico Saraiva de Almeida, vice president of SPAC.
The Regional government of the Azores had acknowledged the possibility of a private negotiation or the company’s closure if an agreement could not be reached.
The regional secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure of the Azores said on Friday that the regional government will do everything in its power to save regional airline SATA and, if the privatisation of Azores Airlines fails, will act to guarantee mobility.
“We [the Regional Government] want to keep SATA International [Azores Airlines] and that’s why we’re in this process, imposed by the European Commission, due to the management that has led it to a state where it can’t continue to exist. And those responsible are undoubtedly the governments up to 2020. Not just now,” said Berta Cabral.
She was speaking at the specialised standing committee on the Economy, in Horta, about the Azorean Plan and Budget for 2026, which will be discussed and voted on this month, said that “an absolutely critical situation of management over dozens and dozens of years is coming to light”.
“The European Commission imposed this solution. The alternative was much worse. Therefore, we want to save the company, to keep the company in business in the Azores, because we think that’s important, and we’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen,” said Berta Cabral, in response to BE MP António Lima.
When asked what measures the regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) has in place to safeguard the mobility of Azoreans if the privatisation process fails, Cabral replied that they had to wait for the outcome.
“If something doesn’t happen as we hope, then we will act accordingly to restore the mobility of Azoreans, to guarantee normal economic activity in the region and also to ensure a sector of activity such as tourism,” she said.
She continued: “We’re paying attention. That’s what managing is all about. Managing isn’t about predicting everything or anticipating actions. It’s progressively, as circumstances require, taking the measures and developing the actions deemed most appropriate.”
Sources: Negócios/Lusa
