The Portuguese Union of Civil Aviation Pilots (SPAC) demanded on Friday, Jan. 30, that a final decision be reached regarding the privatisation of SATA Azores Airlines, with “total transparency and unwavering defence of the public interest”.
What else did the pilots’ union say?
In the statement released to the press, SPAC acknowledged the recommendation by the airline’s privatisation jury that the 17 million euros offer by the Atlantic Connect Group be rejected for “allegedly failing to adequately safeguard the interests of SATA Azores Airlines, the SATA Group, and public funds.”
The union stated it would not support a sale that could jeopardise employment, the airline’s sustainability, or the interests of the Azores. SPAC’s vice-president, Frederico Saraiva de Almeida, criticised the uncertainty around the process.
“The urgency is neither political nor rhetorical — it’s regulatory, economic, and operational. Prolonged uncertainty exacerbates the company’s fragility, destroys value, and compromises essential investment and planning decisions. Without a validated and credible solution, the risk of measures with a severe impact on operations and employment is real,” he said.
How will the process move forward?
The Atlantic Connect Group has been the only company bidding to buy the Portuguese regional airline, and one of its representatives, Carlos Tavares, told the newspaper Negócios that the group remained intent on the proposal.
Azorean Regional Secretary of Finance Duarte Freitas also expressed to Negócios that the goal was to complete the sale. He added that he would review the jury’s final report, expected by the end of February, which will include input from SPAC.
Before submitting its proposal, the Atlantic Connect Group had reached agreements with both SPAC and the cabin crew union.
What is your take on these negotiations? Share your thoughts in the comments.
