The President of the Government visited today the cargo area of Graciosa Aerodrome that was hit by a fire on the night of May 24. On the occasion, he stressed that this circumstance makes it even more urgent to move forward with the project for the construction of the new air terminal on this island, which is dependent on the approval of the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC). 
 
“The project for the new air terminal has been awaiting the approval of ANAC for about two years, which is necessary and indispensable to proceed with the second phase of this process that includes the launch of the public contract work for its construction,” said Vasco Cordeiro. 

At the beginning of a visit to Graciosa as part of the contacts he has been making on various islands, following the economic recovery in the Region, the President of the Government stressed that this fire “made it even more urgent to quickly solve the process” regarding the construction of a new air terminal on this island. 

"Some investments have already been made in terms of infrastructures and equipment to ensure the necessary operating conditions at this stage. However, it is clear that, with a project for the construction of a new air terminal under way, it is even more urgent to speed up this process," stressed Vasco Cordeiro. 

Speaking to journalists, the President of the Government also stressed that, following the fire that broke out in the cargo area, SATA and local companies have carried out works to render the infrastructures operational in a short period of time. 

 “The fact is that the aerodrome is now operational. There is an area used to store runway equipment that was severely affected, but the project for its recovery is already being prepared. The passenger and cargo areas are fully operational and, therefore, I offer a word of praise for the effort and competence with which Graciosa companies have undertaken this effort and restored the operating conditions of this infrastructure," said the President of the Government. 

In this visit to Graciosa, the President of the Government also met with the Mayor of Santa Cruz, Manuel Avelar. The meeting was an opportunity to review not only all the joint work that has been carried out in the most intense period of the pandemic in terms of public health, but also the economic and social recovery process on this island and in the Region. 
 
“During the meeting, we also analysed several investments that are taking place on the island of Graciosa,” Vasco Cordeiro said, adding that the work in the Barra area should be completed at the beginning of the last quarter of 2020. 
 
“At that time, we will move forward, in collaboration with the Town Council, with other works on the island. In the first phase, there will be an intervention to create about fifty parking spaces for vessels, thus ensuring that this area will not only contribute to the protection of the coastline, but also to the development of other services on the island of Graciosa," noted the President of the Government.