The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stressed in Ponta Delgada the positive response of SATA to the new reality marked by the introduction of the new model of accessibility to the Region that has been in force since April 2015.
 
Vítor Fraga spoke at the presentation of the itinerant exhibition on the 75th anniversary of SATA at João Paulo II Airport. The government official stressed that "SATA faced last year one the biggest challenges it has ever faced," with the changes to the model of accessibility to the Region and the introduction of Public Service Obligations for inter-island transport.
 
"Despite the clouds gathering over some people, we were able to see that SATA was here and responded promptly and positively to this new reality," said the Regional Secretary. When the Region hit the record of passengers landed at regional airports between April 2015 and March 2016, registering one million and 164 thousand passengers, 73% travelled with SATA.
 
"We cannot remain indifferent to this situation insofar as it shows us the importance of a company like SATA in a region such as the archipelago of the Azores, where air transport is fundamental," said the government official.
 
Under Public Service Obligations for inter-island transport, the Regional Secretary mentioned that SATA transported 300,500 passengers from October 2015 to the end of May 2016, a growth of 45,900 passenger compared to the same period of time that corresponds to an increase of 18%.
 
"This clearly demonstrates the company's dynamics and its response capacity, meeting the needs of the Region and market trends," said Vítor Fraga. He noted that SATA has responded "to a new momentum in demand, generating value not only for the company itself but also for the Region."
 
The Regional Secretary pointed out that the exhibition opened today recalls "the entrepreneurial spirit and the visionary character of SATA's founders," evoking all those who have contributed to the company's history, which is to the Azorean people much more than a mere service provider.
 
"The relation we have with SATA is much more than a customer/ supplier relation. It is clearly an emotional relation. We cannot forget that SATA expands the Azores beyond the physical boundaries that limit us," the government official said, adding that "SATA gives wings to 'Azoreanity' as Vitorino Nemésio defined so well. In fact, it takes the Azores to the world and brings the world to the Azores."
 
In his speech, he stressed the importance of the company's employees, being its main asset for the clear identification they have with the Region's values.
 
"They know our true needs and work to provide a response to these same needs," the government official said, stressing that "they contribute on a daily basis to overcome all the challenges that the Region and the company face. Because, every day, many of the Region's challenges are also the challenges of SATA."
 
The Regional Secretary wished for "a huge success" of the exhibition, thanking the company's employees for "all the efforts they have undertaken so that SATA can continue developing its activity successfully." Moreover, the government official also thanked its management team, stating that "it will certainly lead the company to success with the commitment and dedication of all employees that have always existed and that will continue to exist."