It was about 12:20 PM when the AIRBUS A321 LR Neo of Azores Airlines landed on the runway of the João Paulo II Airport, after having completed another mission to transport hospital equipment for the Archipelago of the Azores.
Over the past few days, the carrier has multiplied in contacts with the Chinese authorities, since it became more restricted, from 00H00 on April 8, the access to the People's Republic of China for purchase and transport of hospital equipment.
"Throughout the week, this mission took on new contours as we were confronted with new impositions and restrictions from the Authorities of the People's Republic of China. This mission's success was due to the cooperation between the various entities and the unconditional support of the Government of the Azores. From the handling agent we worked with to the prompt intervention of the Portuguese Embassy in Shanghai, not forgetting the relevant support of IATA (International Air Transport Association) with the Chinese CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China), all competed for us to obtain the necessary authorizations in record time. The teams remarkably mobilized so that it would be possible to bring this indispensable cargo to the restocking of the Health units in the Azores. It was a complex mission, which filled us with pride, and we are pleased to see that it was completed with the full commitment of our teams and partners." says Mário Chaves, Chief Operational Officer (COO) and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Azores Airlines.
We recall that the SATA Group airlines reorganized their entire air operation from the moment flights within the Autonomous Region, and flights from abroad to the Archipelago of the Azores began to be reduced to accommodate the progressive changes of scenery due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the SATA Group, the arrival of this cargo flight does not complete the mission entrusted to it. At the end of the landing process in Ponta Delgada, following the guidelines of the DRS (Regional Health Directorate), part of the hospital material received today will be transported over the next few days to the remaining islands of the Azorean Archipelago.
"The operation developed so far and the rapid capacity of adaptation in both carriers has been possible and complementary because we have worked in a group logic, in which the resources of the SATA Group companies have demonstrated an extraordinary capacity of mobilization and cohesion," adds Mário Chaves, responsible for the operational and commercial areas of the two SATA Group carriers.
Since March 19, SATA Air Açores has been using the combi Dash 200 version to ensure cargo operation between the nine islands of the Archipelago of the Azores with several daily flights, operated according to identified transport needs. Azores Airlines has also performed daily cargo flights between Lisbon and Ponta Delgada to ensure the continuity of supplies of essential goods, mail, and hospital equipment to meet the needs of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.