Refund system can now combine separately bought mainland and Madeira tickets
The refund platform can now link tickets separately bought by Azores residents.
The resident-fare refund platform can now link airline tickets purchased separately for journeys between the Azores, mainland Portugal and Madeira. The feature became operational on Thursday, according to information confirmed to RTP Antena 1 Açores by Carlos Morais.
The change covers cases in which a journey was split into two separate purchases. Until now, those situations could prevent the system from treating both segments as one trip for refund purposes.
The refund amount has also been set for cases where residents had paid twice as much because the tickets could not be linked. The measure is intended to address an issue reported since the new Territorial Continuity Mechanism rules took effect.
Three months after the law began to apply, the issue affecting travel agencies remains unresolved. For Azores residents who rely on air connections for study, work, healthcare or family travel outside the archipelago, a functioning refund process remains important to lowering the real cost of travel.
More news
October 22
More beds and higher costs challenge tourism in the Azores
Azores bed capacity rose 32.7%. A parliamentary debate examines falling overnight stays alongside higher revenue, rising prices and air connections.
October 22
Azores home asking prices hit record €2,101 per square metre
Home asking prices in the Azores reached €2,101 per square metre in September 2026, up 12.2% in a year, as limited supply puts pressure on buyers and renters.
October 21
Overnight aftershocks followed earthquake felt across three Azorean islands
Nearly 100 low-magnitude aftershocks followed the 20 October earthquake felt on three Azorean islands. The last felt tremor was reported at 00:12.