The decree, published today in the Official Gazette, states that a "working group has been established with the objective of evaluating and deciding on the best option and scheduling the execution of the Pico Airport expansion project, as well as finding financing options."

The group includes Francisco Bettencourt, Regional Director of Mobility and the group's coordinator; Pedro Azevedo, Regional Director of Public Works; Bernardo Oliveira, a member of the SATA board of directors; and Catarina Manito, president of the Association of Municipalities of Pico Island's board of directors.

The preamble to the order states that the expansion of the runway at Pico Island aerodrome is a “legitimate aspiration of the people of Pico and constitutes a need recognised by the Regional Government of the Azores”.

The runway expansion aims to “improve operational conditions, reduce cancellations, increase commercial capacity, cargo and passenger capacity, as well as the range of aircraft at maximum takeoff weight,” the order states.

The document recalls that a preliminary study for the expansion of the Pico Island aerodrome runway was prepared and submitted on 11 October 2023, which concluded that “it is necessary to study other solutions in order to obtain greater operational efficiency in approaches and landings”.

The dispatch further states that a complementary study was subsequently prepared and completed on 28 January 2025. Having obtained opinions from SATA Aerodrome Management, SATA Air Açores, and Azores Airlines, “it is now important to evaluate the technical solutions presented and find ways to finance this project.”

On 27 January, the President of the Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) announced the creation of a working group to “schedule the execution and find financing options” for the expansion of Pico Island airport.

The official stated that, without EU funds, “there are no conditions to materialise” the project, but “there is decision-making capacity regarding strategic options and synergies between the regional government, national power, EU institutions, and local power” so that solutions can be found.