“Undoubtedly, there is a decline, estimated at 30% compared to the same period last year. April is noticeably weaker, and Ryanair's absence is clearly felt. This is significant,” Luís Rego told the Lusa news agency.

The low-cost airline Ryanair abandoned operations in the Azores on 29 March due to “high airport fees” and the “inaction” of the Portuguese government.

According to the ARAC representative in the Azores, the absence of the low-cost airline is a determining factor, as it attracted tourists who frequently used car rentals and local accommodation.

According to the representative, Ryanair's departure coincided with the Easter period, which is traditionally a weaker time for tourism. This overlap intensified the impact.

He stated that bookings decreased immediately due to Easter, a traditionally weak tourism period, and Ryanair's departure during this time likely contributed further to the drop.

While recognising that other factors may play a role, Luís Rego emphasised that Ryanair's absence is a major contributor to the drop in rental demand.

A significant decrease is evident, with Ryanair's absence as a key reason, though other factors may also contribute.

Regarding the summer, the ARAC representative anticipates increased activity in the car rental sector, as it is the high season, further underscoring the sector's growth potential.

“Summer is always summer, and there will be more flights and more movement. Logically, the impact of Ryanair's departure from the Azores will be less during peak season,” he argued to Lusa.

However, Luís Rego warned that the impact of the low-cost airline's departure will persist.

“The biggest concern should be for next winter, because during that period we will only have SATA and TAP,” he argued.

Underlining that Ryanair “always added value” to tourism in the Azores, Luís Rego warned that “next winter is long, from October to March, and if nothing is done, the percentage of decline will be even greater.”

In January, Ryanair's CEO, Michael O’Leary, told the Lusa news agency that the airline would close its base in the Azores at the end of March, rejecting any possibility of reversal, which, effectively, happened.

The Regional Government of the Azores tried unsuccessfully to persuade the company to continue operations in the region, which began in 2015.