SATA Holding received eight expressions of interest for the privatization process of SATA Internacional – Azores Airlines, the airline responsible for connections between the islands of the Azores and mainland Portugal, as well as international routes. Interested parties had until September 6 to submit the required documentation, including the Suitability and Compliance Form, the financial capacity declaration, and the declaration of effective interest.
The company announced that it will now analyze the received documentation to verify compliance with the participation requirements established in the Specifications Document. Interested parties who meet the conditions will be invited to submit a non-binding proposal by September 21, followed by the submission of binding proposals and final negotiation.
After several failed attempts, the SATA group launched a new privatization process that foresees the alienation of at least 75% of Azores Airlines' capital. The regional government of the Azores opted for a private negotiation, open to national or foreign investors, instead of an international public tender. The sale of the company was a commitment made in the restructuring plan approved by the European Commission in June 2022, within the framework of the state aid granted to the group, with SATA having received a total of 453.25 million euros. The privatization should have been completed in 2015, but Brussels agreed to extend the deadline until the end of this year.
In the first half of 2026, Azores Airlines recorded losses of 37.1 million euros, 3.9 million less compared to the same period the previous year. Operating revenue stood at 134.4 million euros, a reduction of 1% compared to 2025, while operating costs reached 142 million euros. The company transported approximately 701 thousand passengers, down 7.7%, and operated 5,037 flights, down 8.1%.
