Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, June 15, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's Azores region will have 16 airlines and direct connections to 12 countries in Europe, North America and Africa during the IATA summer season, with the region “increasingly seen as a year-round destination”, it was announced on Monday.
According to the Regional Government, “the Azores are kicking off the 2026 IATA summer season with a historic milestone in their international air connectivity, marked by the arrival of three leading new airlines — Air Canada, WestJet and Austrian Airlines — consolidating the region as a premier, increasingly competitive and global Atlantic destination".
Air Canada and WestJet began operations to the archipelago on 12 and 13 June respectively, whilst Austrian Airlines will operate its inaugural flight on 30 June.
"This expansion represents an unprecedented qualitative and quantitative leap in air accessibility to the archipelago," emphasised the regional government in a press release.
The Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, who was present at the arrival of the first two inaugural flights in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, highlighted the strategic importance of this moment.
"In the IATA summer of 2026, the Azores will have 16 airlines, more than 30 routes and direct connections to 12 countries in Europe, North America and Africa, marking a new level of connectivity and international recognition for the region," announced Berta Cabral.
In total, these new connections represent “a significant increase in available capacity, the diversification of source markets and an unequivocal strengthening of the Azores’ international profile,” she said.
“Canada is emerging as one of the main drivers of this new phase of growth, with two new direct connections from Toronto,” she added.
Air Canada has launched its first-ever service to the Azores with three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) until early September, totalling 38 round trips and over 6,400 seats. With this move, Ponta Delgada becomes the airline’s third destination in Portugal.
WestJet, meanwhile, is strengthening connectivity with three weekly flights (Mondays, Fridays and Sundays) until 25 September, providing 46 return flights and over 8,000 seats.
For Berta Cabral, “the new connections consolidate the Azores’ presence in the Canadian market, strengthen deep ties with the diaspora and significantly boost international demand for the destination”.
The regional government also highlights the potential of the Canadian market and its sustained growth.
According to the government, in 2025, Canada was the Azores’ fifth-largest overseas market, with over 221,000 overnight stays, recording growth of 11.4%.
From 30 June, Austrian Airlines will launch the first direct connection between Austria and the Azores, with a weekly flight for 11 weeks, operated by an Airbus A320 with a capacity of 180 passengers, representing “an unprecedented strategic connection with a market that has been showing strong growth (+24.3% in 2025, with over 52,000 overnight stays), which until now has been dependent solely on stopovers".
The arrival of Austrian Airlines also strengthens the Lufthansa Group’s presence in the region, complementing the operations already provided by Lufthansa, Edelweiss and Eurowings, it states.
Berta Cabral, quoted in the same press release, emphasises that “the growth in air connectivity is crucial to consolidating the Azores’ position on the international stage, diversifying markets and generating new opportunities for the sector, always with a sustainable approach”.
The minister also highlighted the joint work carried out between the regional and mainland governments, VisitAzores, Turismo de Portugal, airlines and tour operators, as part of a “coordinated strategy aimed at the sector’s sustained growth”.
She added that tourism accounts for over €1.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), around 20% of the regional GVA, 17% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and 17% of employment, with international markets continuing to gain importance, particularly Germany, the United States, Spain, France and Canada.
“The Azores are increasingly seen as a year-round destination, with a versatile range of attractions and flight connections capable of catering for both extended stays and short breaks,” emphasised the Regional Secretary for Tourism.
Under the slogan “Year-round tourism on all the islands”, the regional government also guarantees a renewed commitment to reducing seasonality, ensuring a balanced distribution of tourist flows and the enhancement of distinctive attractions such as nature, walking trails, thermal spas and integrated experiences.
APE/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
