Airport rescue services in the Azores prepare for a 2027 transition

Three humanitarian fire brigades are expected to stop providing rescue and firefighting services at the airports of Ponta Delgada, Horta and Flores in early March 2027. The change affects facilities serving São Miguel, Faial and Flores and signals a shift in how this airport service is delivered.

Until the planned date, the brigades are to maintain the response required for airport operations. In Flores, an agreement was reached for firefighters to continue covering the ANA-defined schedule, including extended and early periods, until 28 February 2027.

The development follows a period of pressure on associations providing airport services. In 2024, the Azores Firefighters Federation warned of accumulated losses under the contracts then in force, while in 2026 staffing availability in Flores had already raised concerns about potential limits on air operations beyond normal hours.

The future service is expected to be provided by private operators, according to the reported information. For passengers, airport workers and island communities, the transition matters because rescue and firefighting cover is essential to the safe continuity of air links, particularly on islands that depend heavily on aviation for mobility.