A new air link, expected to help North American tourists, was inaugurated last weekend, connecting Faro to Ponta Delgada in the Azores.
The first flight of the new air link operated by Azores Airlines touched down at Faro’s International Gago Coutinho Airport on Sunday (June 2), with 50 American and Canadian passengers onboard.
The new route is expected to play a key role in the Algarve’s goal to welcome more American and Canadian visitors since the Azores has three direct air links to North America: Boston, New York, and Toronto. In other words, North Americans looking to fly to the Algarve can now do so more easily from the Azores.
While the first flight brought around 50 passengers from North America, it is expected that this number will grow throughout the summer.
The route has three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays until September 29, with departures from Faro at 1.25 pm and arrivals in Ponta Delgada at 3.05 pm. In the opposite direction, flights depart from Ponta Delgada at 9 am and arrive in Faro at 12.25 pm.
According to SATA, the schedule provides convenient conditions for transfers via Ponta Delgada to the United States of America (Boston and New York), the Cape Verde Archipelago, and Canada (Toronto and Montreal).
Albeit a few minutes late, the first Airbus A321LR landed at the Algarve airport at around 12.40 pm, with passengers greeted by a live traditional folk dance (corrido algarvio). There was also cake and gifts handed out to passengers and a special ceremony to mark the opening of the air link.
While it is still early days, SATA has admitted the possibility of keeping the route running through the winter season, although it will depend on its success.
