Supplementary TAF issuance excepted by the end of the year SATA Group and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) have established a working group to assess solutions aimed at reducing the impact of weather conditions on inter-island air operations.
This initiative follows recent episodes of intense and persistent fog that affected several airports in the Azores, disrupting air operations and highlighting the challenges inherent to an archipelagic region characterised by highly variable weather conditions.
The purpose of this work is not to reduce operational requirements or safety criteria. On the contrary, the objective is to ensure that procedures and operational decision-making information are better adapted to the unique characteristics of air transport operations in the Azores, while maintaining safety as the highest priority.
Accordingly, from December 2026 onwards, IPMA will begin issuing TAF forecasts for Pico Aerodrome, a service that is not currently provided. The availability of a TAF for Pico represents a measure of significant operational value for the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as it will allow the aerodrome to be considered as an alternate airport when adverse weather conditions affect other airports within the regional network.
The implementation of this new service will strengthen the meteorological information available to the aviation sector, providing an essential tool for flight planning and dispatch activities. This will support more informed operational decision-making and improve predictability in an aviation environment.
This capability is particularly important for inter-island operations, which are conducted using aircraft with more limited range compared to medium-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A320, making the availability of nearby and operationally viable regional alternatives essential. Pico Aerodrome also possesses characteristics that may strengthen its role within the regional network under certain weather scenarios, namely its Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach capability and the fact that it is not always affected by the same weather phenomena that impact other airports across the archipelago.
Through this measure, SATA aims to contribute to greater operational predictability, improve flight planning capabilities, and reduce cancellations associated with the lack of specific aeronautical weather information. SATA Group and IPMA will continue to develop and assess technical solutions that enhance the robustness, regularity, and safety of air operations within the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
Editor's Note*
TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is an aviation weather forecast specifically issued for an airport and used by airlines for flight planning and dispatch purposes. It includes information relevant to aviation operations, such as wind, visibility, cloud cover and significant weather phenomena.
TAF forecasts are issued every six hours (00:00, 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00 UTC). IPMA provides METAR and TAF information for aviation, including TAF messages valid for designated issuing locations.
Public records of TAF forecasts are available for Azorean airports such as Ponta Delgada, Lajes, Horta, Santa Maria and Flores. At present, Pico Aerodrome (LPPI) does not benefit from regular TAF issuance. The introduction of this service will strengthen the aeronautical meteorological information available for inter-island operations and increase SATA Air Açores' planning options whenever the applicable technical, meteorological and regulatory conditions are met.
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Editor's Note* TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) is an aviation weather forecast specifically issued for an airport and used by airlines for flight planning and dispatch purposes. It includes information relevant to aviation operations, such as wind, visibility, cloud cover and significant weather phenomena. TAF forecasts are issued every six hours (00:00, 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00 UTC).
IPMA provides METAR and TAF information for aviation, including TAF messages valid for designated issuing locations. Public records of TAF forecasts are available for Azorean airports such as Ponta Delgada, Lajes, Horta, Santa Maria and Flores.
At present, Pico Aerodrome (LPPI) does not benefit from regular TAF issuance. The introduction of this service will strengthen the aeronautical meteorological information available for inter-island operations and increase SATA Air Açores' planning options whenever the applicable technical, meteorological and regulatory conditions are met.