From June 1 to September 30, SATA Air Açores will enhance its summer operations by integrating a new aircraft. This Bombardier Dash Q400 aircraft will operate under an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) lease during the peak months of the IATA summer.
This temporary reinforcement will increase operational robustness and enable the airline to respond more effectively to the demand peaks typical of the high season. The airline's fleet will total eight planes, including six Bombardier Dash Q400s and two Bombardier Dash Q200s. The new aircraft will offer additional seating and cargo capacity, accommodating up to 78 passengers.
In summer 2025, SATA Air Açores plans to operate over 550 weekly flights between the islands of the Azores archipelago, around 80 flights per day. The airline has operated in the region since 1947, continuously strengthening this essential service. In 2024, it surpassed the milestone of transporting one million passengers in a single year.
Following an analysis of various leasing options, which proved unfeasible due to a shortage of viable long-term leasing solutions in the market, the decision was made to include this aircraft through an ACMI lease. In addition to reinforcing operations, this new aircraft will replace some flights currently operated by lower-capacity equipment, increasing seat availability more efficiently.