Azores boost international projection with new era of direct air links to Canada and Europe - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

The Azores are entering the IATA summer 2026 season with a historic milestone in their international air connectivity, marked by the arrival of three leading airlines — Air Canada, WestJet and Austrian Airlines — consolidating the Region’s position as a top Atlantic destination that is increasingly competitive and global.

Air Canada and WestJet began operations on June 12 and 13, respectively, whilst Austrian Airlines will operate its inaugural flight on June 30. This expansion represents an unprecedented qualitative and quantitative step forward in air accessibility to the archipelago.

These new connections represent a significant increase in available capacity, the diversification of source markets and a clear boost to the Azores’ international profile.

The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, who was present at the arrival of the first two inaugural flights, highlighted the strategic importance of this moment. On the occasion, she stated: “In the IATA summer of 2026, the Azores will have 16 airlines, more than 30 routes and direct connections to 12 countries in Europe, North America and Africa, marking a new level of connectivity and international recognition for the Region.”

Canada is emerging as one of the main drivers of this new growth phase, with two new direct connections from Toronto.

Air Canada has launched its first-ever service to the Azores with three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) until early September, totalling 38 rotations and over 6,400 seats. With this move, Ponta Delgada becomes the airline’s third destination in Portugal.

WestJet, meanwhile, is boosting connectivity with three weekly flights (Mondays, Fridays and Sundays) until September 25, providing 46 rotations and over 8,000 seats.

For Berta Cabral, this development is particularly significant because “the new connections consolidate the Azores’ presence in the Canadian market, strengthen deep ties with the diaspora and significantly boost international demand for the destination.”

The sustained growth of this market confirms its potential: Canada established itself as the 5th largest overseas market in 2025, with over 221,000 overnight stays (+11.4%). Within the framework of PEMTA 2030, it is considered a priority due to its high purchasing power and growth potential.

Meanwhile, from June 30, Austrian Airlines will launch the first direct connection between Austria and the Azores, with a weekly flight for 11 weeks, operated by an Airbus A320 with a capacity for 180 passengers.

This marks a groundbreaking strategic link to a market that has been showing strong growth (+24.3% by 2025, with over 52,000 overnight stays). Until now, it has exclusively relied on stopovers.

The arrival of Austrian Airlines also strengthens the Lufthansa Group’s presence in the Region, complementing the operations already carried out by Lufthansa, Edelweiss and Eurowings.

This enhancement of air connectivity stems from an ongoing strategy of external promotion, attracting new routes and projecting the Azores as a destination, underpinned by solid institutional partnerships and an integrated vision of tourism development.

As Berta Cabral emphasised, “the growth of air connectivity is crucial to consolidating the Azores’ position on the international stage, diversifying markets and generating new opportunities for the sector, always with a sustainable approach.”

The government official also highlighted the joint effort underpinning these results: “The Azorean Government, in close coordination with the National Government, VisitAzores, Turismo de Portugal, airlines and tour operators, maintains a coordinated strategy to ensure sustained growth and an effective response to the sector’s challenges.”

Tourism is now firmly established as one of the cornerstones of the regional economy, accounting for over €1.2 billion in Gross Value Added, around 20% of regional GVA, 17% of GDP and 17% of employment.

International markets continue to grow in importance, particularly Germany, the United States, Spain, France and Canada.

This growth is matched by a distinctive international positioning, based on sustainability, authenticity and the quality of the tourist experience.

The Azores are the first archipelago in the world to achieve EarthCheck Gold Level – level 2 (2025) certification and have consistently been recognised as the “World’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination” and Europe’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination.

According to Berta Cabral, “the Azores are increasingly establishing themselves as a year-round destination, with a wide range of attractions and flight connections capable of catering for both extended stays and short breaks.”

Under the slogan “Year-round tourism on all islands,” the Regional Government is stepping up its efforts to reduce seasonality, ensure a balanced distribution of tourist flows, and promote unique attractions such as nature, hiking trails, thermal spas and integrated experiences.

The three new flight operations represent much more than “new routes”: they represent a genuine step up in the Region’s air accessibility, consolidating the Azores as a global, competitive, accessible and sustainable destination.

“This is an important step towards raising the Azores’ international profile, promoting balanced growth, opening up new markets and ensuring sustainable tourism development for the Region’s future,” concluded Berta Cabral.