SATA Group, which comprises the airline companies SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, presented its first half results in a context described as "particularly demanding" for the aviation sector. Fuel costs increased by 29% in the period, with an estimated economic impact of approximately 13 million euros on the two airline companies. Despite the significant increase in fuel costs, which rose by approximately 53% in the second quarter, the group achieved improvements in losses at both airline companies, benefiting from ongoing operational optimization and financial sustainability measures.
At Azores Airlines, the number of flights fell by 8.1%, to 5,037, and the number of passengers decreased by 7.7%, to approximately 701,000. Despite the reduction in activity, operating revenues remained close to the same period last year, at 134.4 million euros, thanks to more efficient capacity management and commercial revenue management. Net loss improved to 37.1 million euros, compared to 41 million euros in the same period last year, a reduction of approximately 3.9 million euros. EBITDA was negative at 7.6 million euros, but excluding the fuel impact, it would have been positive at approximately 4 million euros. Cancellations doubled, rising from 122 to 249, with an impact of approximately 4 million euros.
At SATA Air Açores, flights declined by 4.4%, to 8,185, and passengers decreased by 3.1%, to approximately 435,000. Operating revenues reached 54.9 million euros and operating costs totaled 52.1 million euros, with costs declining more than revenues. Net loss was 2.1 million euros, an improvement of approximately 1.3 million euros compared to 3.4 million euros in the same period last year. EBITDA increased from 1.3 million to 2.7 million euros. Cancellations at SATA Air Açores increased by 88%, rising from 555 to 1,044, with an impact of approximately 2.1 million euros.
The chairman of the board of directors, Tiago Santos, stated that the results demonstrate the teams' ability to respond to the challenging context, maintaining focus on operational optimization and financial discipline. The group stated that it will continue with financial sustainability measures and that the measures adopted to mitigate the impact of fuel costs, particularly at Azores Airlines, will take full effect in the second half of 2026. SATA Handling, which presented its first results following the spin-off of the activity, recorded sales of 15.3 million euros and a net loss of 2.2 million euros.
