Austrian Airlines launched direct route to Ponta Delgada today - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

Austrian Airlines launched a new direct flight today between Vienna, Austria, and Ponta Delgada Airport, which will significantly strengthen the Azores’ international connectivity and open up new prospects for sustainable growth in Azorean tourism.

The service is operated by an Airbus A320 with a capacity of 180 passengers, running weekly on Tuesdays. It will continue until September 8, 2026, for a total of 11 weeks.

Eleven rotations are scheduled, representing 1,980 additional seats for the archipelago.

According to the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, this direct connection with Vienna “represents a very significant milestone for the Azores. For the first time, it opens a direct gateway to the Austrian market, which has high potential and a strong resonance with the Region as a destination offering nature, authenticity and sustainability.”

The new route means that Austrian Airlines is now the fourth airline in the Lufthansa Group to operate in the Azores, joining Lufthansa, Edelweiss and Eurowings, thereby clearly consolidating the region’s position in the European aviation landscape.

Berta Cabral also highlighted the strategic impact of this integration on strengthening international partnerships, stating: “The fact that four airlines from the Lufthansa Group operate in the Azores demonstrates the destination’s growing appeal and credibility amongst leading European operators. This is the result of consistent efforts to promote the destination abroad and build trust with the sector.”

The launch of this route is particularly significant in the context of the Austrian source market. In 2025, Austria was the 11th largest foreign market for the Azores, recording a growth of 24.3% compared with 2024 and a total of 52,261 overnight stays.

Until now, there were no direct flights between Austria and the Azores, with journeys typically involving stopovers, mainly in Germany, Switzerland or Lisbon. This is a market with high purchasing power and strong demand for nature-based destinations, sustainability and outdoor experiences.

“We are working strategically to diversify markets and attract visitors who value quality, authenticity and sustainability. The Austrian market fits perfectly with this vision, and this new route will enable us to grow in a more balanced and targeted manner,” added the government official.  

Tourism continues to be one of the main driving forces of the regional economy. According to a study by Ernst & Young (2024), the sector accounts for more than €1.2 billion in Gross Value Added, about 20% of regional GVA, 17% of GDP and 17% of employment.

The domestic market remains the main source of visitors, accounting for around 30% of overnight stays, followed by the most significant international markets: Germany, the United States, Spain, France and Canada.

For the 2026 IATA summer season, the Azores will be served by 16 airlines, ensuring more than 30 routes and connections to 12 countries in Europe, North America and Africa. Austrian Airlines joins Air Canada and WestJet as new operators compared with 2025.

This boost in connectivity falls within the Regional Government's strategy to mitigate seasonality and promote tourism year-round and across all islands.

“Greater connectivity means more opportunities for our companies, more jobs and greater territorial cohesion. We will continue to focus on smart accessibility, aligned with sustainability and the promotion of our destination,” concluded Berta Cabral.

The Azores have established themselves internationally as a destination of excellence in terms of nature and sustainability, being the first archipelago in the world to be certified with EarthCheck's Gold Level – Level 2 (2025). The destination has also been consistently recognised as the “World’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination” and "Europe’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination" by the World Travel Awards.

This new initiative is the result of ongoing and coordinated efforts among the Regional Government, the National Government, Visit Azores, Turismo de Portugal (national tourism authority), airlines and various partners in the sector, with a view to strengthening international promotion, diversifying markets and responding to the challenges of the international context.

Under the slogan “Tourism all year round on all islands,” the regional strategy continues to focus on improving the quality, diversifying and ensuring the sustainability of the tourism offer, as well as on improving air and internal transport links.