Azores formalise fund to open direct air links

A decree creating the Air Route Development Fund for the Azores has been published in Portugal's official gazette, establishing a regional instrument to support the attraction of new direct air links to the archipelago.

The measure is intended to strengthen the Region's ability to negotiate and encourage air operations connecting the Azores with new markets, with an emphasis on attracting airlines, widening the range of visitor origins and reducing dependence on a limited set of routes.

The fund comes at a time when air accessibility remains central for residents, businesses and the tourism sector. Additional direct connections can shorten travel times, improve journey predictability and create new opportunities for promoting the islands abroad.

For Azorean tourism, market diversification matters because it can help spread demand more evenly across the year and reduce exposure to fluctuations in specific source markets. The creation of the fund gives the Regional Government a dedicated financial tool to support that strategy.

The practical effect of the instrument will now depend on the terms set for each initiative and on the ability to attract operators willing to establish or test new routes. Its impact will be measured mainly by the actual launch of connections, their continuity and their effects on mobility between the Azores and external markets.