Regional Government and Portuguese Air Force guarantee supply to Flores Island - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

In view of the unspeakable political exploitation taking place and the premeditated disinformation on the part of the largest opposition party, the Government of the Azores would like to clarify the following:

1) On January 20, already aware of the weather conditions forecast for the Western Group in the following days, the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures published a press release informing of the operational and supply difficulties on the islands of Corvo and Flores. It explained the situation of the three vessels involved - Thor B, São Jorge and Margarethe;

2) On Wednesday, January 22, given the improvement in weather conditions, as expected and mentioned in the press release, it was possible to carry out some supply operations. In these operations, priority was given to the vessels Thor B and São Jorge, considering the fuel needs in Flores and, in particular, Corvo, with the threat of an imminent stock shortage. Due to the prolonged operations of both vessels, the operation of Margarethe on the same day would have been unfeasible.

3) As explained in the press release published on January 20, the difficulties in supplying the island of Flores are not only due to the sea and swell conditions on this island but also the route between São Miguel or Faial and Flores, which condition and jeopardise the safety of the vessel and its cargo.

4) The failure to get the vessel Margarethe to Faial Island, in addition to being conditioned by sea conditions on the route (which also made it impossible to mobilise a tugboat from Horta to Ponta Delgada), is also limited by the live animals included in the cargo. This situation is incompatible with the impossibility of unloading and any prolonged stay in the Horta port.

5) Although successful, the operations conducted by Thor B in Flores on Wednesday, January 22, were significantly constrained in the morning, before it left for Corvo. They were only possible in the late afternoon, after its return from Corvo, due to the mobilisation and diligent action of all the entities involved, given the adverse weather forecasts and the associated risk.

6) The Regional Government has already taken several steps to ensure alternative solutions for supplying Flores Island, including activating the Portuguese Air Force means to transport necessities by air, which will take place tomorrow, January 24, if the conditions for the operation are in place.

7) The weather forecasts for the coming days remain highly restrictive for maritime and port operations, as is evident from the Weather Alert 21/2025 issued by the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere. These forecasts will continue to restrict supplies to the island of Flores, at least until next Tuesday, and again on subsequent days.

8) The Government of the Azores maintains the permanent monitoring of the situation and a collaborative and diligent interaction with all public and private partners to ensure the supply of Flores Island as soon as the minimum conditions are in place. 

9) The Government of the Azores regrets, however, the political staging done by the Socialist Party, when it comes to a matter as delicate as the supply of the population and a matter as uncontrollable as weather conditions.