The 90-day extension allows the airline to continue to operate normally as of today,” the office of Minister Pedro Nuno Santos told Lusa.

On 21 October, the ministry announced that the operator Sevenair SA, formerly known as Aerovip - will continue to operate the air link between Trás-os-Montes and the Algarve for a new period of four years.

This contract was the result of a public international tender launched in December 2018.

While the contract is in the process of prior oversight by the Court of Auditors, the airline continues to operate this route under a direct agreement concluded for the period, the ministry said.

The value of the contract amounts to €10.4 million for a period of four years.

With this connection between North and South and the Interior and the Coast it is possible to fly from Bragança to Portimão in 2 hours and 35 minutes with a discount tariff of €47 or, for example, go from Viseu to Cascais in 40 minutes for €35.

"This connection aims to mitigate regional asymmetries, giving the same opportunities existing on the coast to the inhabitants of Bragança, Vila Real or Viseu".

The route connects Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Cascais and Portimão, and has been in force for three years, after the suspension of flights in 2012, with the then government was trying to get private individuals to take over the route without state subsidy.

Since mid-July, the air link has not stopped in Vila Real due to the indefinite closure of the municipal airfield after the mayor of Vila Real explained that a 'risk of a runway crash' had been detected.