The cabin crew of SATA Air Açores has announced a seven-day strike, scheduled to take place from July 18 to 24, 2025.
The industrial action was called by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) to express dissatisfaction over what they describe as repeated acts of disrespect and disregard by the airline.
The strike will only directly affect domestic flights by SATA Air Açores, which operates inter-island routes within the Azores archipelago, it was reported.
It is important to note that international flights, including those to and from the United States and Canada, are not directly impacted. These long-haul routes are operated by Azores Airlines (formerly SATA Internacional), which is not involved directly in the strike action.
Nonetheless, international passengers with flights that include inter-island connections should be aware of potential delays or cancellations during the strike period. As of now, SATA Air Açores management has not issued an official response to the strike notice.
According to the union, crew members have been working under increasingly difficult conditions, citing violations of workers’ rights, a lack of constructive dialogue with management, and a failure to recognize the crew’s essential role in airline operations.
In a public statement, SNPVAC said the strike is a “last resort” after multiple failed attempts to reach an agreement with the management of the Azorean regional airline. The union is demanding dignified working conditions, institutional respect, and full compliance with the existing labor agreement.
Meanwhile, international travelers are advised to contact the air carrier concerning scheduled inter-island flights between July 18 and July 24.
Azores Airlines (also known as SATA Internacional) flies internationally, including routes in North America, with destinations like Boston, Newark, Philadelphia, and Toronto.
PAJ/Staff
The Azores (population 250,000) is a region of Portugal composed of nine islands. The archipelago, discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, became an Autonomous Region of Portugal in 1976. The government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores includes the Legislative Assembly, composed of 57 elected deputies, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term; the Regional Government and Presidency, with parliamentary legitimacy, composed of a President, a Vice-President and seven Regional Secretaries responsible for the Regional Government’s executive operations. The Autonomous Region of the Azores is represented in the Council of Ministers of the Central Government by a representative appointed by the President of Portugal. According to the latest US census, over 1.3 million individuals of Portuguese descent live in the United States, the majority with roots in the Azores. It is estimated that over 20,000 US citizens live in Portugal.
