Arrival of Low Cost encourages Azores economy – Journal SUN

The arrival of low cost airlines in the Azores, which is hours from completion, already put to stir the local economy.

Today, easyJet began flying from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada. And on April 1, on Wednesday, also Ryanair will debut its connections to San Miguel. The new connections will be a strong contribution to the increase of passengers expected at the airport John Paul II.

Contacted by Sol, the two low cost show themselves satisfied with the search. “Easyjet operates its flights with an average occupancy rate of around 90% and the Lisbon Ponta Delgada-route no exception. Given that we started to offer flights on the site since the official announcement, on 10 December, the results are very positive “, says the marketing manager for Portugal, José Lopes. The British company will have three weekly flights (and a fourth from June) and has “a few exhausted flights”

Ryanair -. That will install a base with a plane in Ponta Delgada, the fourth in territory national – will have 20 weekly flights departing from Lisbon, Oporto and Stansted. And expects to generate 350 thousand customers per year traffic, in addition to 350 jobs. “We are very pleased with the sales already carried out on the new routes, which have become extremely popular,” says an official source, without quantifying occupancy rates.

Low prices, more demand

In the archipelago, the conviction of tourism-related agents is that the liberalization of air space of Ponta Delgada and the Third – which allowed the entry of new operators – will stimulate many Portuguese to know the Azores, attracted by increased supply and low prices. Then come also more foreigners to ride the promotion that these airlines will of fate and notoriety that win.

“It’s the biggest reform ever in accessibility in the region,” argues the Regional Secretary of Tourism and Transport, Victor Fraga. “In charge for access to the region, there is a very significant reduction, reaching values ​​less than one-third compared to those who were practiced six or seven months,” he stresses.

To meet the cost low, too TAP and Sata set your offer. From Sunday, TAP will have daily flights to the capital of São Miguel and Terceira. And share flights with Sata, who will also continue to make links to other islands. How the prices of liberalized routes, become subject to market conditions, without being subject to public service obligations.

According to the ANA until mid-February, the most aggressive prices released by these two companies made grow by 22% the movement of passengers to the Azores.

Reservations rise more than 20%

Also the hotel has had an increase of reservations made directly in hotels. “The increase is between 20% and 25%. I believe it has much to do with the arrival of low cost, “accounts for the delegate of the Association of Hospitality in the Azores Portugal, Humberto Peacock. Demand is mainly Portuguese.

“We think that will appear a new niche market of people to take advantage of the cheaper rate, have no hold baggage and get two or three days in the region “- so-called short breaks. Then believe responsible, appear interest in knowing other islands besides São Miguel.

“We are forecasting a growth for this year, mainly in São Miguel,” agrees Martha Sousa Pires, managing director of Bensaude Hotels, which has six units in the archipelago. “The liberalization of air space, specifically the entry of two low cost, and increasing the number of TAP flights to Sao Miguel, creates a new awareness of the destination,” anticipates.

With more air access, come more tourists, contributing to increase the number of overnight stays – about one million in 2014, only 0.9% more than in 2013, the lowest increase in the country -. and hotel revenues in the Azores

For this Easter, the first after the liberalization, the hotels are 70% to 85% occupancy, “relatively equal to previous years,” indicates Humberto Peacock. But also wishes to stress that despite the low cost of operation, hoteliers in the region “are expectant, but not with great euphoria.” “Tourism in the Azores is a marathon. There is a 100-meter race, “compares.

aware Investors

Still, we can detect interest in making new investments in housing. For example, there are several plans to open hostels, especially in São Miguel. And there are also several hotel openings in the pipeline.

“There are over 1,800 new tourist beds with request for prior approval in the Regional Directorate of Tourism. The increase in hotel supply will be reflected in more jobs, “says Victor Fraga.

” The increase in attracting tourist flows will impact other sectors that have direct or indirect relationship with the sector, such as animal husbandry, fisheries or the services industry, “says.

ana.serafim@sol.pt