The Regional Director for Transport stated in Ponta Delgada that the growth of maritime transport in the Azores is a consequence of the work carried out under a strategic and integrated approach, highlighting the commitment of Atlânticoline to improving maritime passenger transport in the archipelago.
 
"This company clearly intends, through very specific and targeted actions, to achieve the goals it pursues," stressed Fernando Almeida, who was speaking at a press conference organized by Atlânticoline to present the schedule for this year.
 
The Regional Director highlighted the results registered by the company, stressing that they are "a logical consequence of their work, based on a strategic and integrated vision for the maritime transport of passengers, which must offer quality, reliability and efficiency."
 
Fernando Almeida conveyed his belief that Atlânticoline will achieve the goals set for 2016, noting the importance of improving transport services and their contribution to the Region's economic and social development.
 
The Regional Director said the company and all its employees "will know how to seize the opportunities that the year 2016 brings and, simultaneously, overcome weaknesses and create mitigation strategies for identified threats."
 
Fernando Almeida also pointed out some of the actions that Atlânticoline will undertake in 2016 for the relevance they will have for the local economy, such as the overall increase the number of calls or longer stays on some islands.
 
Regarding the increase of links to the island of Flores, the Regional Director highlighted that the length of stays on this island has nearly doubled. This has brought advantages to municipalities, which will benefit from the presence of visitors, but also to tourists, who can "visit the Western Group Islands for longer periods of time."
 
Fernando Almeida reiterated the Government's availability to collaborate with the Atlânticoline "in achieving the goal towards the growth of maritime transport of passengers and vehicles for the benefit of the Azores and the Azoreans."