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On the morning of 29 October 2026, CIVISA recorded two earthquakes off western São Miguel five minutes apart: a magnitude 4.3 at 06:54 (epicentre about 37 km west of Ginetes, felt at intensity IV in Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande) and a magnitude 4.0 at 06:59 (about 41 km west of Ginetes), reports Jornal Açores 9. No damage or injuries were reported. The quakes are the latest in a seismic sequence that began with the magnitude-5.2 of 20 October and has since produced close to a hundred tremors, including a felt 4.3 on 22 October. Authorities continue to monitor the activity.

The ground-handling strike by the SITAVA and SINTAC unions — against the planned sale of 100% of SATA Handling — runs into early November: after morning windows in late October, it shifts to afternoon windows of 16:00–19:00 (Azores time) from 28 October to 3 November, according to pixidia. Because SATA Handling runs check-in, baggage and boarding, some flights may be delayed or cancelled, though minimum-service flights must operate and SATA says scheduled flights have largely run. SATA is allowing free date changes (no penalty, no fare difference) for flights between 18 October and 10 November if the new date falls outside the strike; for cancellations, EU passenger rights give a refund or re-routing plus assistance. A separate overtime notice for 6 November–31 December was reported but not otherwise confirmed.

The Azores Government Council approved a five-cent-per-litre reduction in the ISP (fuel tax) on both petrol and diesel on 29 October 2026, reports Jornal Açores 9. The reference value falls from €590 to €540 per 1,000 litres for petrol and from €400 to €350 for diesel. The government estimates it will forgo about €580,000 a month in revenue, which it says it is willing to give up to ease the costs of mobility, transport and productive activity amid rising international fuel prices. It frames the cut as a continuation of earlier measures to shield families and businesses from higher energy costs and to protect purchasing power and competitiveness.

Azores Skills 2026 — the 26th Regional Professions Championship — gathers participants from all of the region's vocational schools for the first time, reports Jornal Açores 9. Held 2–6 November 2026 at the Centro de Qualificação dos Açores in Ponta Delgada, it brings together 141 people (90 competitors and 51 judges) across 21 professions in 19 professional areas — the largest turnout to date. Organised by the regional department for youth, housing and employment, the event is the regional qualifier for the 47th National Professions Championship (WorldSkills Portugal), to be held in Aveiro in February 2027.

Ponta Delgada holds the title of Portuguese Capital of Culture 2026 (PDL26), under the motto 'O Lugar do Amanhã' (The Place of Tomorrow), and its November programme is dense with events across the city and beyond. Highlights include Beethoven's 3rd Symphony in Madalena (6 Nov) and 7th in Horta (8 Nov), the MusicAzores'26 choral project 'Cantando Admont' touring São Miguel, Santa Maria and Terceira (5–11 Nov), the 'Cine Mistérios' film series at Floresta Cultural (7–14 Nov), plus talks, masterclasses, guided walks and exhibitions such as 'O Jardim e o Céu' at the University of the Azores (from 13 Nov). The full calendar is on the PDL26 site.

The number of passengers disembarking by sea in the Azores rose 2.1% in September 2026 compared with September 2025, according to regional statistics (SREA) reported by Jornal Açores 9, with Pico (about 26,300) and Faial (about 24,900) the busiest islands and São Jorge up 9.2%. Even so, the January–September total of roughly 462,000 disembarkations stayed 4.1% below the same period of 2025, continuing a run of mostly year-on-year declines. In the low season Atlânticoline runs ferries within the Triângulo (Pico, Faial, São Jorge) and between Flores and Corvo, with Terceira and Graciosa added from June to September; the seasonal large-vessel service linking most islands has been suspended since 2020. A private Santa Maria–São Miguel link returned this summer on a small vessel.

The Azores government reports that €42.7 million had been spent by mid-2026 on the new Lajes das Flores port, which it calls the largest public works project under way in the region, per Jornal Açores 9. The original port was destroyed by Hurricane Lorenzo in October 2019 and damaged again by Storm Efraín in December 2022. The works — signed in April 2025 with a 60-month schedule — will extend the breakwater by 95 metres, build a new 170 m × 40 m quay, dredge to −9 m and add a port-operations building. Total investment is projected at about €191.5 million, largely funded by the EU Cohesion Fund, with completion targeted for April 2030.

Azores Airlines, part of the SATA group, is adding Porto–Azores flights for the IATA winter 2026/27 season and summer 2027, citing strong demand on its summer 2026 routes, reports The Portugal News. Ponta Delgada–Porto averaged a 90% load factor and Terceira routes around 80%. On São Miguel, weekly Ponta Delgada–Porto flights rise from 13 to 15 (capacity up about 10–15%), while Terceira's Porto service goes from three to four weekly flights, lifting winter seat capacity by roughly 26%. Overall the winter 2026/27 and summer 2027 schedule is about 3% larger than a year earlier.

Workers at the Azores' private social-solidarity institutions (IPSS) and Santas Casas da Misericórdia staged a strike on 27–28 October 2026, called by the SINDESCOM and SINTAP/Açores unions, reports Jornal Açores 9. Their demands include a €52.50 pay increase for 2026, updated meal and seniority allowances, a gradual move from a 39- to a 35-hour week, and pay parity for senior technicians with public administration (a gap the unions put at €400–500 a month). The unions say employers will not negotiate while a study on the real cost of social services is unfinished, and that national funding for 2026 has not yet been transferred — warning that about €4 million is needed and that the year's Christmas bonus is at risk.

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake was felt across São Miguel and Terceira on 20 October 2026, causing no casualties or material damage, the Azores Civil Protection and Fire Service said, according to Jornal Açores 9. The regional monitoring centre CIVISA recorded close to a hundred aftershocks over the following days, including a sharply felt magnitude-4.3 event on 22 October. Authorities said the sequence was being monitored continuously and reminded residents of the archipelago's ongoing seismic activity and basic earthquake precautions.

SATA reported 'some constraints' to its operation as the ground-handling strike by the SITAVA and SINTAC unions began on 21 October 2026, Jornal Açores 9 reported. The stoppage — against the government's plan to sell 100% of SATA Handling — runs in daily windows through 3 November and can affect check-in, baggage and boarding. SATA activated a contingency plan and let passengers change dates without charge; travellers are advised to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport.

The Azores government said a shortage of slots at Lisbon airport is constraining its efforts to reinforce air links to the region, according to Jornal Açores 9. Officials framed capacity at the congested mainland hub as a key obstacle to adding frequencies, alongside the broader push — through the new Air Route Development Fund — to attract airlines after Ryanair's departure. Opposition parties have continued to press for faster, concrete results on connectivity.

Registered unemployment in the Azores fell 6.9% in September 2026 compared with a year earlier, Jornal Açores 9 reported, citing official figures. The annual decline continued the region's recent trend of falling joblessness, which authorities have linked to business confidence and public employment programmes. The data track people registered at the region's employment centres.

Clocks in Portugal, including the Azores, go back one hour in the early hours of Sunday 25 October 2026 as daylight-saving time ends and winter time begins, according to Jornal Açores 9. In the Azores the clocks move from 01:00 back to 00:00, giving an extra hour in bed but earlier sunsets. The islands keep their usual one-hour offset behind mainland Portugal (UTC−1 in winter).

The health unit on Pico has gained two new family doctors, Jornal Açores 9 reported, improving residents' access to primary care on the central-group island. Recruiting and keeping family doctors has been a persistent challenge across the Azores' smaller islands, and officials presented the additions as a step toward more stable local healthcare.

Portugal's President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, took part in a colloquium on the 50th anniversary of the Azores' political autonomy, Jornal Açores 9 reported. The anniversary has been a thread through 2026's institutional and cultural programme across the islands. The event brought together political and academic figures to reflect on five decades of regional self-government and what comes next.

The unions SITAVA and SINTAC announced a SATA Handling strike running 21 October to 3 November, in protest at the Azores government's plan to sell 100% of the ground-handling business to a private operator — which they call part of the region's essential public air service, Jornal Açores 9 reported. The stoppages are daily within set windows — 21–27 October from 07:30 to 10:30, and 28 October to 3 November from 16:00 to 19:00 (Azores time) — and cover all SATA Handling staff. Check-in, baggage and boarding could be affected, so travellers should check their flight status before heading to the airport.

The number of passengers landing at Azores airports fell for the ninth month running in September, down 5.6% year-on-year to 233,650 (13,812 fewer than in September 2025), according to SREA figures reported by Jornal Açores 9. Mainland and Madeira routes fell most (−12.4%), while inter-island traffic held roughly flat (+0.4%); over January–September about 1.8 million passengers landed, 7.1% fewer than a year earlier. The outlet links the decline to the end of Ryanair's Azores service in late March, leaving mainland connections to TAP and Azores Airlines; by island, only Flores, Graciosa, Pico and Faial grew, while São Miguel (−8.5%) and Corvo (−13.3%) fell.

The Azores government is boosting native seed and plant production through an experimental orchard at Atalhada, in Nordeste on São Miguel, with roughly 2,168 endemic and native plants, Jornal Açores 9 reported. The planting includes Azorean holly (Ilex azorica), Azores juniper (Juniperus brevifolia) and Azorean laurel (Laurus azorica), and is meant to conserve and propagate native species and supply seed and plants for future forest restoration — gathering seed from the wild is hard because many sites are hard to reach and animals eat the flowers and fruit. Agriculture Secretary António Ventura, who visited the site, framed it as a bet on preserving the Azorean forest.

Teachers in the Azores who marked national exams have not received a pay supplement that mainland teachers already got — €1 per item graded digitally — the regional teachers' union (SPRA) said on 6 October, Jornal Açores 9 reported. On 9 October the sole BE/Açores deputy, António Lima, filed questions to the regional government asking how many teachers are affected, what caused the delay, who is responsible for processing the payment, and when it will be made. Those affected are the Azorean teachers who took part in grading the national exams.

At a parliamentary debate in Lajes das Flores, the PS/Açores argued that better air and sea links are central to the island's future, pointing to depopulation, an ageing population and the struggle to keep young, qualified people, Jornal Açores 9 reported. Deputy José Eduardo also flagged farming difficulties — ageing farmers, fewer farms, export problems and an unpredictable cargo-ship schedule — and called for more housing, investment in schools, more health professionals and tourism diversification such as scientific tourism and remote work. It is a party position rather than a government decision, with no specific routes, schedules or timelines announced.

IPMA extended the yellow warning for heavy rain — at times intense and possibly with thunderstorms — over the eastern group (São Miguel and Santa Maria), pushing it from 18:00 to midnight on 3–4 October, Jornal Açores 9 reported. On Santa Maria the rain caused landslides, blocked roads and overflowing streams, with no injuries or people displaced according to the Vila do Porto mayor, and some flights were cancelled or delayed. Residents were advised to avoid flood-prone roads and watersides and to confirm flights before travelling.

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) raised an orange warning — the second-highest level — for heavy rain and thunderstorms across all nine islands, driven by the remnants of post-tropical depression Hanna, according to Jornal Açores 9. The western and central groups were covered until mid-afternoon on 2 October, and the eastern group (Santa Maria and São Miguel) until midnight into 3 October, with rain at times intense and the risk of thunderstorms. Residents were advised to secure loose objects, avoid flood-prone roads and watersides, and confirm flights and ferries before travelling.

The Azores government presented its draft 2027 budget on 2 October, forecasting a €112m deficit and GDP growth slowing to 1.7% (from 1.8% expected in 2026), with unemployment edging up to 5.4%, Jornal Açores 9 reported. Headline allocations include €131m for agriculture, €21m for housing construction and rehabilitation, and €17.2m for tourism promotion, against expected tax revenue of about €1,046m. The government linked the cautious outlook to eleven consecutive months of declining overnight stays; the plan goes to debate and a vote in the Regional Assembly on Faial in November.

A government dispatch published on 2 October allocated €2.8m to the Visit Azores association for destination promotion, focused on the winter season and domestic markets to fight seasonality, according to Jornal Açores 9. More than 30 promotional actions with journalists, tour operators and content creators from national and international markets are planned through the end of 2026. Tourism Secretary Berta Cabral set out the strategy on World Tourism Day in Graciosa on 28 September; the Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce has argued Visit Azores needs at least €15m a year for a stable, multi-year plan.

The new 46-metre research vessel 'Azores Ocean', built in Spain under the Recovery and Resilience Plan at a cost of about €35m, was christened on 2 October in Horta by oceanographer Sylvia Earle, with President José Manuel Bolieiro present, according to Jornal Açores 9. The ship carries an ROV able to work to 5,000 metres plus sonar, bathymetry and environmental-monitoring systems, and will be run with the Portuguese Navy and the research institutes Okeanos and IMAR, with logistics support from Atlânticoline. With daily operating costs around €18,000, the regional government is seeking partners to share the cost and keep the vessel sustainably at sea.

Angra do Heroísmo's international jazz festival, Angrajazz, returns for its 26th edition from 2 to 4 October at the city's Centro Cultural e de Congressos, Açoriano Oriental reported. The programme is headlined by the San Francisco–based SFJazz Collective, alongside French pianist Leïla Olivesi and rising vocalist Tyreek McDole, plus the festival's own big band. One of the archipelago's flagship cultural events, Angrajazz draws musicians and audiences from across the islands and the mainland each autumn.

The unions SINDESCOM and SINTAP/Açores have called a strike for 27–28 October at private social-solidarity institutions (IPSS) and Santa Casa da Misericórdia organisations across the islands, Jornal Açores 9 reported. Their demands include a €52.50 pay rise for 2026, updated meal and seniority allowances, pay parity for senior technicians, and a gradual cut in the working week from 39 to 35 hours. Talks have stalled pending a government-commissioned cost study, and unions say workers' patience has run out — the stoppage is likely to affect day-care, home-help and residential care services many families rely on.

Unions representing SATA ground-handling staff announced several strike periods, raising the prospect of check-in, baggage and boarding disruption, Jornal Açores 9 reported. Separately, minimum services were decreed for Azores and Madeira flights during a nationwide public-administration strike on 30 September. SATA published a contingency plan and allowed passengers to change travel dates without charge to limit the impact. Travellers were advised to check their flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport.

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed all nine Azores islands under a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms as an Atlantic frontal system crossed the archipelago, according to Jornal Açores 9. The warning ran in staggered windows: the western group (Flores and Corvo) from 18:00 Sunday to 06:00 Monday, the central group (Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira) from 21:00 Sunday to midday Monday, and the eastern group (São Miguel and Santa Maria) from 03:00 to 15:00 Monday.

The Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service said the front would bring a gradual worsening of conditions across all islands, with moderate winds expected to strengthen, temperatures of 16–26 °C and rough seas.

Fuel prices in the Azores rose again on 1 October 2026 to new record highs, according to Jornal Açores 9. Unleaded 95 petrol reached €1.924 a litre and road diesel €1.939 a litre — increases of about 7 cents and 5 cents respectively on the September prices, and the highest levels the region has recorded.

The outlet highlighted the steep climb over the year: since January, petrol has risen about 30 cents (from €1.620) and diesel about 46 cents (from €1.474), gains of roughly 19% and 32%. Azores fuel prices are reset on the first of each month in line with international market movements.

The regional government rejected opposition claims that it had failed to deliver a legally required review of ride-hailing services (TVDE, the platforms similar to Uber and Bolt), according to Jornal Açores 9. The Socialist Party said Portuguese law requires an evaluation three years after the activity begins, and that with TVDE allowed since 2022 the report was due in 2025.

The government responded that no TVDE operators were registered in 2022, 2023 or 2024, and that the first registrations came only in 2025 — so there was no activity to assess in the period cited. It said the evaluation would follow once there is meaningful operation to report, and dismissed the accusation as political.

The Association of Azorean Municipalities (AMRAA) asked the regional government to finance half of the housing investment costs under the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) that are not covered by the national government, according to Jornal Açores 9. Its president, Carlos Ferreira, called for a protocol setting out clear support criteria, describing the backing as fundamental to meeting the region's housing needs.

The association also pressed the government to transfer about €1.25 million a year in tourist-VAT revenue owed to municipalities: payments for 2020–2022 have been made and 2023 is budgeted for 2026, and it expects the 2024 share in the 2027 budget. The regional budget for 2027 is due to be debated in the Legislative Assembly in November.

IndieLisboa brought independent cinema to the Azores from 25 to 27 September 2026 at Arquipélago – Centro de Artes Contemporâneas in Ribeira Grande, São Miguel, as part of Ponta Delgada's year as a Portuguese Capital of Culture, according to Jornal Açores 9. The programme featured five screenings and a creative workshop over three days, with sessions for schools, families and general audiences.

The line-up included short films and the documentary "PARA VIVIR — El implacable tiempo" about the Cuban musician Pablo Milanés, alongside a family dance-and-creation workshop, "É Grande a Luz." Saturday screenings began at 18:00 and Sunday sessions at 16:00, with family content suitable for children from age three.

The Socialist Party (PS/Açores) accused the regional government of missing the legal deadline to bring the region's new electricity system into force, according to Jornal Açores 9. The party's Russell Sousa said the maximum deadline set in law expired on 20 July 2026, and that approved legislation cannot work without the accompanying regulations being published.

Sousa said the new framework covers energy production and storage, renewable-energy communities, smart grids and distributed generation, and that the implementing rules are indispensable to putting the energy-transition measures into practice. The party argued that passing the law is not enough on its own.

SATA invited six entities to submit non-binding proposals for the privatisation of Azores Airlines, with a deadline of 21 September 2026, according to Observador (Lusa). The six were selected, after a review of documents, from the eight parties that had expressed interest.

The process involves selling at least 75% of the company while protecting employment for 30 months, and runs through qualification, non-binding proposals, binding proposals and possible final negotiations. Selection criteria include the purchase price, commitments to strengthen the airline financially, legal clarity, labour protections and shareholder stability.

Chega/Açores called on the regional government to make an "immediate correction" to the terms of São Miguel's new public road transport concession, operated by Vale do Ave since 1 September, according to Açoriano Oriental. Party leader José Pacheco listed problems reported by users, including buses arriving late or early, older vehicles without air conditioning, timetables and routes that cannot be met, standing-room-only services, and difficulties for elderly passengers obtaining passes. He cited one bus that reached Ponta Delgada about two hours behind schedule.

The regional secretary Berta Cabral defended the concession, pointing to a 44-million-euro investment over 15 years, new express routes, improved comfort and accessibility, and a single fare zone in Ponta Delgada, the report said. The government said the model places "the citizen at the centre of mobility."

Azores government president José Manuel Bolieiro said the archipelago is "de braços abertos" (with open arms) to members of the diaspora who wish to return, according to Açoriano Oriental. He made the remarks in Vaughan, Ontario, at an event marking 20 years of the Santo Cristo dos Milagres celebrations in Brampton, Canada.

Bolieiro said the regional government offers returnees access to the regional health system and social security, and highlighted opportunities in tourism, real estate, the blue economy, the digital economy and technology, and marine and space clusters, the newspaper reported. He pointed to possibilities for retired emigrants and for diaspora members interested in buying property or investing, describing the Azores as "a laboratory of the future."

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada (CCIPD) asked Portugal's Competition Authority (AdC) to examine competition conditions on air routes between the mainland and the Azores, according to Açoriano Oriental. The chamber said the lowest fare classes are often unavailable even when booking well in advance, with prices concentrated at higher levels, and noted that after Ryanair's departure only Azores Airlines and TAP operate the routes under a code-share agreement.

The chamber cited Lisbon–Ponta Delgada round trips exceeding 500 euros across various periods, said comparable Lisbon–Funchal fares were roughly half, and noted that Praia (Cape Verde)–Ponta Delgada cost about 218 euros, the report said. The CCIPD requested "effective scrutiny of competition conditions and capacity management" to restore competitive conditions on the routes.

The Left Bloc (BE) warned of degraded school buildings and staff shortages in the Azores at the start of the academic year, according to Jornal Açores 9. Deputy António Lima visited the Integrated Basic School (EBI) of Lagoa, on São Miguel, where he described doors that no longer open, crumbling cement, exposed reinforcement, and water infiltration when it rains.

Lima said four preschool teachers were missing, forcing the school to send children home at lunchtime, and pointed to a lack of operational assistants and special-education support staff, the report said. He also said parliament had rejected relocation incentives for teachers, making Azores postings less attractive than the mainland. The BE called for construction of the already-designed new school building to begin promptly.

The Azores regional government approved a compensation package totalling about 6.54 million euros, to be paid through 2028, for commercial fishers affected by the Azores Marine Park (PMA), according to Jornal Açores 9. The support is aimed at owners and operators of commercial vessels working in areas covered by the new marine park.

The report said the governing coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) described the measure as part of a long-term strategic investment with environmental, social and economic benefits, while recognising that fishers need an adaptation period. The same government council meeting also approved around 3 million euros in agricultural support, along with funding for university and research initiatives, the newspaper reported.

The Association of Civil Construction and Public Works Industrialists of the Azores (AICOPA) called for a new phase of investment in the region as the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) ended on 31 August, according to Jornal Açores 9. President Alexandra Bragança said the challenge is to ensure "a transition without interruptions" and warned against an abrupt cut in funding.

The association described the PRR as an extraordinary investment cycle and identified continuing regional needs, including housing shortages, transport, water and energy infrastructure, and modernised public facilities, the report said. Bragança cautioned against sharp reductions in the 2027 regional budget and called for a clear strategy and alternative funding sources to give the sector stability and predictability. The budget is due to be debated in November.

SATA Holding said it received eight expressions of interest in the privatisation of at least 75% of the capital of SATA Internacional – Azores Airlines, according to Açoriano Oriental. The deadline for submissions was 6 September, and applicants had to provide documents including a suitability and compliance form, a declaration of financial capacity, and a declaration of effective interest.

SATA Holding said it was analysing the submissions to verify that they met the requirements, and that qualified candidates would then be invited to present non-binding proposals by 21 September, the report said. The company described the step as another milestone in carrying out the restructuring plan approved by the European Commission for the SATA group.

The regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) granted a tolerância de ponto — discretionary time off — to regional public-administration workers based in Angra do Heroísmo for the afternoon of 28 September 2026, according to Jornal Açores 9. The occasion is Segunda-feira de São Carlos, described as an event of particular importance to the local population.

Workers in essential services must keep operating if required for public-interest reasons and are to receive equivalent time off on another date. The article notes the directive was published in the Official Journal on 7 September 2026.

The regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), in a decision signed by the President, José Manuel Bolieiro, granted a tolerância de ponto — discretionary time off — to regional public-administration workers based on Terceira for 14 September 2026, according to Jornal Açores 9. The occasion is the traditional Segunda-feira da Serreta, a religious and cultural celebration in honour of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres, described as of particular importance to the local community.

The article notes that services which must keep operating for reasons of public interest may be exempted, with excluded workers to receive equivalent time off on another date at management's discretion.

The regional Finance Secretary, Duarte Freitas, told the Legislative Assembly's Economy Commission that the Azores will receive about €53 million less in 2027 as a result of updated population figures. He split the amount into roughly €20 million less in direct VAT — because the region's share of the national population is below the 2021 baseline used to distribute VAT revenue — and about €33 million less in state transfers, an indirect effect of the region's per-capita GDP rising above 90% of the national average.

Freitas attributed the shortfall to the Azorean population having grown more slowly than the national average, which lowers the amounts set by the financing formulas tied to population and GDP. He said that, despite the loss, the regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) still intends to raise health-sector funding by €40 million in 2027 while maintaining public investment and continuing to reduce regional debt.

The president of the Agricultural Federation of the Azores (FAA), Jorge Rita, called on the regional government, the national government and the European Union to bring in measures against depopulation and to rejuvenate agriculture on Flores and Corvo, according to Jornal Açores 9. He argued that it is farmers who manage the territory and care for the landscape, and that tourism on these islands cannot succeed without agriculture.

Rita also pointed to inadequate air and sea transport services despite their importance to the islands' economy. The article says he had visited both islands and met agricultural associations, municipal councils and local agriculture and forestry services, highlighting their work in maintaining infrastructure and forest areas.

São Miguel's public passenger transport passed to the company Vale do Ave on 1 September 2026 under a new concession contract, according to RTP Açores. The operator has said it expects to carry around five million passengers a year within a few years of taking over the network. The report gives no further detail on specific routes, fleet size or ticket prices.

The 2026/27 school year began on 1 September with 30,866 students across the Azores and 98% of teaching posts filled — the same rate as the previous year — according to the regional Education Secretary, Sofia Ribeiro, who said the year had started with 98% of teaching needs met as of 1 September.

The article reports that 121 teaching posts remained unfilled after the centralised placement and that 154 qualified teachers did not apply for available positions; in Portuguese, 9 posts were unfilled although 22 eligible candidates had not applied. On support staff, 114 further classroom assistants were placed, bringing the total in permanent posts to 1,489 — a 12% rise since 2019 — for a ratio of about one assistant per 21 students, against one per 26 in 2019.

It also notes new measures for the year, including computational-thinking programmes and the continued provision of free digital textbooks, computing equipment and integrated educational platforms for grades 5 to 12.

From 1 September, capped fuel prices in the Azores rose by 3.5 cents a litre for unleaded petrol (to €1.854), 16.3 cents for diesel (to €1.885) and 4.6 cents a kilogram for butane gas (to €1.731) — the first increase after three consecutive months of falls, according to Jornal Açores 9.

The PS/Açores leader, Francisco César, called for protective measures, saying Azoreans cannot keep bearing ever-higher costs and that any revenue the government gains from higher prices should be used to relieve residents and businesses rather than add to their burden. The PCP/Açores condemned the increase as abrupt and the prices as unaffordable, calling for public intervention in how fuel prices are set, food-price regulation, compensation for sectors such as fishing, agriculture and small businesses, and a review of the special pricing regime for island territories.

The article reports no response from the PSD/CDS-PP/PPM regional government.

Parque Terra Nostra in Furnas (Povoação) is to hold an event called Respirar — Wellness Edition on 12 and 13 September 2026, according to Jornal Açores 9. The article describes it as an immersive wellbeing event centred on nature and a sensory reconnection with the surroundings, with each day limited in capacity and pre-registration required.

The programme is said to combine physical and mental wellness practices with a celebration of local nature, and the piece presents the initiative as positioning the park as an international reference for nature and health tourism. No organiser names or further programme details are given.

The municipality is Ribeira Grande, whose council is planning 66 new homes in the Matriz parish and 8 more in Ribeirinha, according to Jornal Açores 9. The investment is being pursued through the national 1.º Direito programme, which co-finances municipal spending on repairing and rehabilitating housing.

The article says the council president, Jaime Vieira, met the president of the Institute for Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU), António Pereira, in Lisbon to develop new housing solutions, with the repair and rehabilitation of the municipal housing stock through 1.º Direito applications among the topics discussed.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that tourist overnight stays in the Azores fell 2.2% in July 2026, the tenth consecutive month of decline, to 648,800 nights from 177,300 guests, who stayed an average of 3.66 nights. Citing the Regional Statistics Service (SREA), it says hotel occupancy edged down 0.9 points to 71.6%.

Despite the fall in stays, hotel revenue rose 6.1% to €33.7 million, while rural-tourism revenue fell 2.5% to €3.8 million. Between January and July the region logged 2.5 million nights (down 3.7%) and 757,600 guests (down 3.5%). Foreign visitors accounted for 83.2% of stays (down 0.9%), while domestic stays dropped 7.8%; the leading markets were the United States, Germany and Spain, the last down 24%.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that milk producers on São Miguel fear losing up to €15 million by year-end because of successive cuts to the producer price by dairy processors. From September, Unileite is cutting 2 cents per litre and Bel 1.5 cents, following August reductions by Lactogal, Insulac and Prolacto.

Jorge Rita, president of the Agricultural Federation of the Azores, called the situation "dramatic for us producers," noting it is the second price cut of 2026 and coincides with diesel that has risen 48 cents this year, including a 16.3-cent increase due in September. He also criticised unfunded aid promises — €23 million pledged for higher production costs — and warned that drought in Europe could push up feed prices, making it harder to attract young people to farming.

idealista reports that the Government of the Azores is allocating 241 homes under a rent-with-option-to-buy scheme aimed at families and young workers who can pay monthly rent but lack savings for a deposit. Tenants may exercise the purchase option one year after signing their contract with the regional government. The homes were built or rehabilitated using EU Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) funding and regional funds, under rules formalised in 2025.

The most recent handover took place at the Casteletes development in Urzelina, on São Jorge, where four T3 townhouses were delivered with more than €800,000 in PRR funding, alongside ten additional lots on which buyers can pay up to 45% of the plot value. Regional Secretary Maria João Carreiro said the scheme turns monthly rent into "a secure pathway to homeownership."

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores Fishing Federation reacted with "much apprehension" to the September fuel increase, which raises diesel by 16.3 cents per litre to €1.885 (coloured fishing diesel to €1.395) from 1 September 2026, after three months in which diesel had fallen 28.2 cents. Federation president Jorge Gonçalves told Lusa on 27 August that the rise was "a huge increase" and "the final blow" to an already struggling sector.

He said boat owners have little financial room and cited compounding problems: scarce bonito tuna in regional waters, exhausted quotas and some vessels already halting operations. The federation is still awaiting fuel subsidies promised by the Regional Government back in March, which remain unpaid, leaving operators without working capital.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that fuel prices in the Azores rise on 1 September 2026, with diesel up 16.3 cents and petrol 3.5 cents per litre. Road diesel reaches €1.885 and 95-octane unleaded €1.854 per litre, and agricultural and fishing diesel also increase. The outlet notes prices are revised on the first of each month in line with European price movements.

The increase reverses three consecutive months of cuts (June-August), when petrol fell 10.2 cents and diesel 28.2 cents, and the report attributes it to Middle East tensions and international market volatility. It notes that the fishing federation received the news "with concern" and the agricultural federation voiced worry over agricultural diesel, while the regional government said it cannot lower the fuel tax any further.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that bigeye tuna (atum-patudo) fishing reopened for the Azores and Madeira on 26 August 2026 after an additional 500 tonnes of quota were secured for the year. The Azores regional government said the allocation was an opportunity the sector had not had for several years, obtained through coordination between the two regions and Portugal's national government.

Since January 2025 the Azores and Madeira have operated under a joint agreement setting common operational rules and promoting resource sustainability for their tuna fleets. Catch, retention, transhipment and landing are limited to one fishing trip per 48-hour period, with maximum catches varying by vessel length. Officials described the reopening as "excellent news" with concrete benefits for fishing communities and the maritime economy.

According to figures from the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) reported by RTP on 20 August 2026, registered unemployment in Portugal fell 8.1% year-on-year in July to 269,100 people, but rose 1.7% compared with June — the first monthly increase after five consecutive months of decline.

Every region recorded an annual fall. The steepest year-on-year drops were in the North (-13%), Madeira (-8.5%) and the Azores (-6%). Month-on-month, the largest increases were in the Alentejo (+2.9%) and the Centre region. The IEFP said the annual improvement was driven mainly by fewer people seeking a first job and by those aged 25 and over.

The Portugal News reports that the Government of the Azores is in the development phase of its Air Route Development Fund, approved by the regional parliament in May 2026 and in force since 18 June 2026. The fund aims to attract new airline routes, bring greater stability to tourism and improve residents' mobility.

Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure Berta Cabral described it as "a complex matter, which requires solid preparation," involving compliance with national and European legal requirements, and said the first two months focused on mobilising entities and building technical capacity. She said the government is working "seriously, competently and with a solid foundation" to create a "legally robust" instrument. The PS/Azores parliamentary group has called for the fund's rapid implementation.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that more than a thousand families in the Azores are behind on rent for government-assigned social housing. According to data the regional coalition government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) provided in response to a parliamentary question from Chega, 1,031 households were in arrears — 775 owing for more than 12 months and 256 for less — with an average debt of €2,457, totalling roughly €2.53 million.

The government said it manages 2,595 social housing units, with a further 262 under construction, and that it notifies families in arrears in writing, by telephone and in person, offering instalment plans; about 80 families regularised their situation over three years. Officials said they seek to avoid evictions given families' limited means, favouring a "pedagogical rather than repressive" approach.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that a magnitude 3.4 earthquake was recorded on Faial, in the Azores' central group, at 02:37 local time (03:37 in Lisbon) on 15 August 2026. Citing the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the outlet places the epicentre about 16 kilometres west of Capelo, with depth ranging from around 13 kilometres toward the surface.

The IPMA said it had received no information confirming that the tremor was felt by the population. The report notes the event occurred in the Faial-Pico area, where the Azores Seismic and Volcanic Surveillance Centre (CIVISA) had raised the volcanic alert to level V1 in May 2026 after an increase in low-magnitude seismic activity along a structural line in the region.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that on 3 August 2026 the Azores regional government approved €3.8 million to acquire two robotic surgery systems for hospitals in the central group. The Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira is to receive €2.5 million for a multi-specialty minimally invasive system, and the Hospital da Horta, on Faial, €1.25 million for an orthopaedics-focused system.

Regional Government President José Manuel Bolieiro presented the decision, saying the technology would increase surgical precision, reduce the risk of complications, shorten hospital stays and speed recovery, while reducing the need for patients to be treated outside the region. The acquisition falls under the Açores 2030 Programme, which funds the modernisation of healthcare infrastructure and advanced clinical technology.

DNOTÍCIAS reports that bad weather struck the Azores from the night of 5 August 2026, with the central group, including Terceira, facing heavy rain and thunderstorms. About 67 people were relocated from the Praia da Vitória campsite, which civil protection said had become unsuitable for use, and were taken to safety at a local vocational school.

The Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service recorded seven incidents, including flooded homes and yards in Vila Franca do Campo and Nordeste (São Miguel), a flooded house in Velas and a partial road collapse in the Nortes area (São Jorge). An orange warning was in force for the central islands until midday on 6 August, alongside yellow wind warnings, with gusts reaching around 100 km/h and rough seas.

Jornal Açores 9 reports that from 1 September 2026 Vale do Ave Açores takes over public road passenger transport on São Miguel under a 10-year concession (renewable for five more) worth €44.3 million. Two new express lines are created: Expresso Nordeste (Nordeste-Ribeira Grande-Lagoa-Ponta Delgada) and Expresso Povoação (Povoação-Furnas-Ribeira Grande-Lagoa-Ponta Delgada), each running morning and afternoon.

More than 100 modern buses with air conditioning and improved accessibility enter service, and about 90% of drivers from previous operators are retained. Regional Secretary Berta Cabral said the model brings reinforced frequencies, optimised timetables and better route coordination to cut waiting times. Digital ticketing, tourist passes (24, 48 and 72 hours), online top-ups and QR codes at stops with real-time information are also introduced.

Acoriano Oriental reported that the Praia dos Mosteiros, on Sao Miguel, was closed to bathing on 31 July 2026 because of microbiological contamination detected in routine water-quality monitoring. It was the third closure of the 2026 bathing season, and the parish council described the measure as preventive, taken to protect public health until conditions returned to normal.

The black-sand beach, known for its views of the Mosteiros islets, had already been shut twice: from 11 to 22 June and again from 10 to 13 July, each time reopening after new analyses confirmed the water was safe. According to the report, the parish council noted that water arriving from the Sete Cidades tunnel was clean but became contaminated on its way to the beach.

Jornal Acores 9 reported on 31 July 2026 that the Association of Local Accommodation in the Azores (ALA) warned of severe economic damage from falling tourism. The association estimated about 80,000 fewer overnight stays in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, and an impact of around 30 million euros across accommodation, dining, retail, transport and entertainment.

ALA said the decline extended to nine consecutive months, citing a 3.8% drop in June and 506,400 overnight stays that month across all tourist lodging. President Joao Pinheiro said revenues were shrinking while costs kept rising. The association pointed to weak off-season air connectivity and the absence of low-cost carriers, and called for better links and stronger marketing in source markets.

Diario dos Acores reported on 30 July 2026 that the regional government, through Ordinance 88/2026, would limit landings of skipjack tuna, flying-fish tuna and albacore according to how full the islands' cold stores are, at facilities in Vila do Porto, Ponta Delgada, Madalena and Horta, effective 31 July.

When a store is below 80% capacity, vessels may land between 5 and 40 tonnes per 48 hours depending on boat length, with open-mouth boats capped at 1.5 tonnes; at or above 80%, limits fall to 2-16 tonnes and 1 tonne respectively. Each facility keeps an 80-tonne reserve for small unrefrigerated boats, activated at high occupancy. The government said the aim was to match landings to freezing and canning capacity while safeguarding fish quality.

Jornal Acores 9 reported on 23 July 2026 that SATA is seeking temporary changes to the company agreement covering Azores Airlines cabin crew (2026-2029) to gain operational flexibility, while insisting the proposal involves no salary cuts. The airline proposed a partial suspension of clauses on scheduling, crew management, night work and rest days.

Proposed measures included rescheduling services after operational delays, converting crew travelling as passengers into working staff, activating cabin crew from the Lisbon or Ponta Delgada bases, allowing up to four night shifts within seven days, and adjusting reserve duty and holiday terms. SATA argued the changes would make the business more attractive and sustainable for potential buyers. The union rejected negotiations. The European Commission requires SATA's privatisation by year-end.

Jornal Acores 9 reported on 20 July 2026 that the opposition PS/Acores pressed the regional government to activate the Air Route Development Fund (FDRAA), which had been published in the official register on 18 June but remained inactive. Party president Francisco Cesar called tourism a pillar of the regional economy and urged rapid implementation.

Cesar noted the fund, sponsored by the PS, had been approved by the regional assembly on 20 May, saying the party had done its part and it was now up to the government to act. He cited eight consecutive months of falling overnight stays, including a 2.2% drop in May and 1.3 million stays in the first five months of 2026, down 5.6% year on year, and criticised the loss of the Ryanair operation.

Diário dos Açores reported on 17 July 2026 that, according to the National Statistics Institute's (INE) Construction and Housing Statistics for 2025, updated with first-quarter 2026 data, the Azores continue to record property purchase prices and rents below the national average, with Ponta Delgada the region's most valued municipality.

Nationally, the median sale price reached €2,076 per square metre in 2025 (up 16.8%), climbing to €2,337 by the first quarter of 2026. Only Greater Lisbon, the Algarve, the Setúbal Peninsula, Madeira and Greater Porto exceeded the national average. Median rents rose to €9.29 per square metre. Portugal licensed 48,844 dwellings in 2025, the highest total since 2011.

RTP Acores reported on 17 July 2026 that Azores schools would open on Saturday so students and their families could consult the results of the first phase of the national exams. The results reached educational establishments late on 17 July.

Schools were to open from 9:00 to 17:00 on Saturday to allow students and parents to check their grades. Regional Education Director Rui Espinola confirmed that the government's guidance had been sent to schools immediately so the results could be made available promptly across the archipelago.

Diario dos Acores reported on 3 July 2026 that Ponta Delgada would hold the 23rd edition of the Grandes Festas do Divino Espirito Santo from 9 to 12 July, with around 30 religious, cultural and recreational events involving all 24 parishes, brotherhoods and volunteers. Mayor Pedro Nascimento Cabral said the celebration mobilised the whole municipality.

The programme opened on 9 July with an exhibition, a book launch and a conference, followed on 10 July by the flag-change ceremony and a sweet-bread contest. On 11 July, the distribution of Holy Spirit soups preceded an ethnographic parade of all 24 parishes and an evening concert by Jose Cid. The festivities closed on 12 July with the coronation Mass, the milk distribution and the coronation procession.

Diario de Aveiro (Lusa) reported that a magnitude 3.8 earthquake was felt across Pico, Faial and Sao Jorge early on 4 July 2026. The tremor occurred at 07:34 local time, with its epicentre about 10 kilometres north of Bandeiras, in the municipality of Madalena on Pico.

The Centro de Informacao e Vigilancia Sismovulcanica dos Acores (CIVISA) recorded a maximum intensity of IV-V on the Modified Mercalli scale in Madalena, Sao Roque do Pico and Horta, with intensity IV in Lajes do Pico and Velas. No damage was reported. The report recalled that in May 2026 CIVISA had raised the volcanic alert for the Faial-Pico channel from V0 to V1 owing to increased low-magnitude seismicity.

TAP began operating a new direct link between Porto and Terceira on 1 July 2026, according to Kiosque da Aviacao. The service connects the central-group Azorean island to northern mainland Portugal and runs four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

According to the schedule reported, flights leave Porto at 15:20 and arrive in Terceira at 17:00, while return services depart the island at 17:50 and reach Porto at 21:15 (local times). The article noted that the Porto-Terceira launch coincided with TAP's simultaneous inauguration of a Lisbon-Athens route on the same day, presenting both as new additions to the carrier's network at the stated frequencies.

Acoriano Oriental (Lusa) reported that the Azores' capped fuel prices fell again from 1 July 2026. Unleaded 95-octane petrol dropped 1.9 cents to 1.832 euros per litre, while road diesel fell 10.4 cents to 1.753 euros per litre, making diesel cheaper than petrol once more.

It was the second consecutive month of reductions, after June cuts of 7 cents on petrol and 14.7 cents on diesel. Butane gas also fell, down 17.3 cents per kilogram following a 26.5-cent drop the previous month, and coloured agricultural and fishing diesel declined 10.4 cents per litre. The article recalled that prices had surged sharply between February and May before the regional government widened tax reductions on petroleum products.

The Portugal News reported on 1 July 2026 that mainland Portugal was entering a period of extreme heat, with highs reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius and overnight lows between 24 and 28 degrees. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) issued warnings across the country.

Red warnings, the most severe level, were set for the districts of Lisbon and Setubal from 2 July and for Coimbra and Leiria from 3 July. Northern areas were placed under yellow warning on 2 July, and by 3 July the entire mainland was under at least an orange warning. The article focused on the mainland heatwave and did not report on conditions in the Azores or Madeira.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada (CCIPD) reiterated its deep concern about Azores tourism at the end of June 2026. It pointed to nine consecutive months of falling overnight stays, with May recording 448,700 overnight stays, down 2.2% year-on-year, and a 5.6% decline over the year to May.

The domestic market fell 11.0% in May and local accommodation dropped 8.1%, while São Miguel — around 70% of overnight stays — continued to perform negatively, in contrast with 2.8% national growth. Business leaders blamed reduced air capacity, less airline competition, high flight costs and insufficient marketing, and called for restoring lost routes and greater promotional investment.

According to ECO, Azores Regional President José Manuel Bolieiro said the region can only carry out major "transformative investments" with EU co-financing. He spoke while inaugurating a 2.5-kilometre bypass near Vila do Porto on Santa Maria, a roughly €6 million project funded through Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) as part of a wider €92.4 million logistics circuit across the islands.

Bolieiro warned that EU funding is likely to diminish as the bloc redirects resources eastward and increases defence spending, stressing the importance of meeting PRR milestones. He said no small-scale economy can unlock the resources for major transformative investment without community funds, amid uncertainty over the next EU multiannual financial framework.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Ribeira Grande on São Miguel is marking 45 years as a city with an expanded São Pedro festivities programme, announced by municipal president Jaime Vieira, with all events free to attend.

The 33rd Marchas de São Pedro on 28 June will feature 13 groups and around 2,000 participants and musicians from Terceira and Ponta Delgada, followed by the Cavalhadas horse procession on 29 June with about 150 riders. The programme also includes the Allianz Ribeira Grande Pro surf contest from 12 to 14 June at Santa Bárbara beach, part of the MEO Surf League, while the municipal stadium marks its 75th anniversary.

According to Açoriano Oriental, the Sanjoaninas 2026 in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira — among the largest festivals in the Azores and in the country — took place in late June with a record 49 marchas (street parades), the main events running from 21 to 27 June under the theme "Angra e a Açorianidade" and marking 50 years of regional autonomy.

The parade schedule included 34 adult marchas on 23 June and nine children's plus six adult marchas on 24 June. The associated Fair of Saint John featured three bullfighting events with performers including João Moura Júnior and the Spanish matadors Marco Pérez and Fernando Adrián. The festival draws many visitors, particularly Azorean emigrants from North America.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Portuguese Air Force carried out three sea rescues off the Azores in under 24 hours between 19 and 21 June 2026, evacuating ill crew members from merchant vessels far out in the Atlantic.

On 19 June, a 26-year-old from the "Sigma Triumph" was airlifted from about 950 kilometres off Terceira by an EH-101 Merlin helicopter of Squadron 752 at Lajes Air Base, supported by a C-295M aircraft, and taken to hospital in Angra. On 20 June, a 40-year-old from the "Monte Brasil" was flown to hospital in Ponta Delgada, and a 27-year-old from the "Kenya B," about 420 kilometres offshore, was taken to Terceira for treatment.

According to Açoriano Oriental, the nationwide general strike called by the CGTP for 3 June 2026, in protest against the government's new labour legislation then under discussion in parliament, was widely felt across the Azores.

Schools closed throughout the autonomous region and health facilities operated with reduced, minimum services during the stoppage, while public transport across the islands experienced significant disruption. The regional CGTP-IN coordinator, Rui Teixeira, reported significant worker adherence to the strike, describing participation levels as comparable to those seen in an earlier protest in December. The action formed part of a wider national mobilisation against the proposed labour reforms.

According to The Portugal News, a hot, humid air mass moving in from the southwest brought widespread fog and mist to the Azores in early June 2026, strongly disrupting air operations and affecting hundreds of flights.

Citing IPMA meteorologist Elsa Vieira, the report said the air mass carried high levels of water vapour into the region. Visibility fell significantly during the early morning hours, improved with afternoon warming and deteriorated again in the evening, with the fog concentrated especially along the southern coasts of the islands. IPMA forecast that the conditions would persist through the week, interspersed with longer periods of clear skies.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Azores Airlines is reinforcing its summer 2026 connections between mainland Portugal and three Azorean islands — Terceira, Faial and Pico — adding one extra weekly flight on each route from 1 June. The airline will operate roughly 200 weekly flights between the mainland and the archipelago, departing from Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

The wider SATA group plans more than 800 flights a week, with capacity increasing gradually towards the July and August peak, a move the company said responds to the expected rise in demand in the high season. The report also noted that the European Commission requires Azores Airlines' privatisation to be completed by the end of 2026, following the 2022 approval of about €453 million in state support for restructuring.

According to Açoriano Oriental, capped fuel prices in the Azores fell from 1 June 2026, with petrol down 7 cents and diesel down 14.7 cents per litre. Agricultural and fishing diesel dropped 7.6 cents a litre and butane gas fell 26.5 cents per kilogram, while the regional government added a further subsidy of 10 cents per litre on diesel for farmers and fishermen.

The Secretary of Finance attributed the reductions to two effects: lower regional petroleum tax rates and movements in international commodity prices. The article noted that the relief followed sharp increases in May, when petrol had risen 21.7 cents and diesel 36.3 cents per litre.

According to the Azores employment portal (DRQPE), registered unemployment in the region fell to 3,784 people in June 2026, the lowest level since 2008. The figure was down 8.4% compared with June 2025 and 3.5% lower than in May 2026.

Regional authorities described the labour market as being in "full employment," with the Regional Secretary for Employment calling it a very positive development attributed to business confidence and effective public employment policies. The report also noted that participation in occupational programmes had fallen from 4,212 in June 2019 to 1,656 in June 2026, a decrease of 60.7%.

According to idealista, house rents in Portugal continued falling in June 2026, dropping 2.4% year-on-year to a median of 16.3 euros per square metre — the fifth consecutive month of decline from the October 2025 peak of 17 euros.

The Azores bucked the national trend, remaining the most affordable of the seven regions analysed with a median of 10.7 euros per square metre, but recording a 5.1% annual increase. In the regional capital, Ponta Delgada, the median rent reached 11.1 euros per square metre, a 3.6% year-on-year rise, placing it well below Lisbon's 21.8 euros.

According to Açoriano Oriental, the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) reached a record 5,570 beneficiaries in the Azores in June 2026, up from 5,217 in January. The regional Social Security institute attributed the growth to three legislative changes.

These included a higher reference value — 630.67 euros a month in 2025 — the elimination of income restrictions relating to beneficiaries' children, which had been a primary barrier to access, and the extension of eligibility to disability pensioners rather than only retirees of pensionable age. The article noted that numbers had been relatively stable between 2016 and 2022 before strong growth from 2025, with women making up 3,760 of the beneficiaries against 1,810 men.

According to Açoriano Oriental, registered unemployment at Portugal's employment centres fell to 274,766 people in May, an 8.7 percent drop from May 2025 (26,139 fewer) and a 3 percent fall from April 2026 (8,524 fewer), based on IEFP data. The annual decline was driven by fewer people registered under 12 months, fewer seeking new employment and fewer aged over 25.

The outlet reports all regions improved year-on-year, led by the North at minus 12.3 percent, followed by the Azores at minus 11.3 percent and Madeira at minus 9.7 percent. The largest jobless groups were unskilled workers, service and sales staff, and scientific specialists. Nationally, May saw 34,618 new registrations, 11,321 job openings received and 7,822 placements, all down year-on-year.

According to Jornal Açores 9, citing the Regional Statistics Service (SREA), the number of passengers disembarked at Azores ports fell again in April 2026, marking the tenth consecutive month of decline. A total of 36,727 passengers disembarked, 659 fewer than in April 2025, a decrease of 1.8 percent.

By island, Pico recorded 17,227 disembarkations (down 1.8 percent), Faial 16,488 (down 1.5 percent) and São Jorge 2,892 (down 0.2 percent), while Flores fell 43.3 percent to 59 and Corvo 35.8 percent to 61. Over January to April, cumulative disembarkations reached 105,926 passengers, down 6,337 or 5.6 percent year-on-year. The outlet links the drop to reduced low-season service by Atlânticoline connecting the central and western islands.

According to Diário dos Açores, citing Imovirtual's May 2026 barometer, the Azores led Portugal in property price and rental increases. The national average home price stood at 430,500 euros, up 3.7 percent year-on-year, while the Azores posted the highest regional annual growth at 22.2 percent, with a regional average around 220,000 euros.

The outlet reports São Miguel showed a median home value of 380,000 euros, with a slight monthly drop of 0.7 percent, while Terceira reached 290,000 euros after a 68.6 percent annual rise. On rentals, the Azores recorded the highest annual increase nationally at 35.3 percent, averaging 1,150 euros a month, while São Miguel rents reached 1,200 euros, up 50 percent year-on-year. Limited supply, strong demand and tourism were cited as drivers.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed the western Azores islands of Flores and Corvo under a yellow warning because of forecasts of rainfall that would at times be heavy.

The outlet reports the warning was in effect from 21:00 local time on Monday until 12:00 on Tuesday. It notes that a yellow warning indicates a situation of risk for certain activities that depend on weather conditions. The article does not provide specific rainfall amounts or mention additional warnings beyond the yellow alert for heavy precipitation affecting the two western islands.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores Government announced on 19 May 2026 a reduction in the tax on petroleum products (ISP) together with a package of support measures responding to May's fuel-price increases. Regional secretary Duarte Freitas said the ISP cut would mean a decrease of between 8 and 13 cents for petrol and diesel.

The outlet reports the package included a 10-cent-per-litre subsidy for agricultural diesel, temporary compensation for the fishing sector, food and health-product support for low-income families, emergency fuel adjustments for firefighter associations, incentives to convert temporary contracts to permanent ones, accelerated rollout of the Azores 2030 energy-efficiency programme, and activation of the CREDITHAB housing scheme if reference rates rise. The measures followed May increases of 21.7 cents for petrol and 36.3 cents for diesel.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores Seismic and Volcanic Information and Surveillance Centre (CIVISA) raised the volcanic alert for the Faial-Pico channel from level V0 to level V1 on 16 May 2026, following a renewed increase in low-magnitude seismic activity.

The outlet reports the activity was distributed along a northeast-southwest structural line running from west of Madalena to north of Lagido, encompassing the Cachorro submarine volcanic system, with earthquake depths ranging from about 13 kilometres up to near the surface. Level V1 corresponds to weak activity slightly above reference levels, of tectonic, hydrothermal or magmatic origin. The alert was to remain in effect for eight days unless new information emerged. CIVISA had lowered the alert to V0 on 21 April after an earlier V1 phase.

According to Jornal Açores 9, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake was recorded near Santo Antão on the island of São Jorge at 12:21 local time on 10 May 2026, as confirmed by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). The tremor reached intensity V on the modified Mercalli scale in Santo Antão parish.

The outlet reports lesser intensities were felt across several other parishes, including Doze Ribeiras, São Bartolomeu de Regatos, Vila Nova and Calheta. According to IPMA, the event did not cause personal or material damage. The article situates the quake within the region's seismic context and explains that a magnitude of 4.6 falls within the light category on the Richter scale.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Government of the Azores is opening a new FSE+ funding notice worth 2 million euros for worker training. The funding is aimed at training employees of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

The outlet reports the announcement was made by Maria João Carreiro, the regional secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, during the opening of the 2026 Industry, Commerce and Services Fair (FICSA) in Ponta Delgada. Carreiro said there is no strong economy without qualified workers and no qualified workers without continuous investment in training, adding that the financing would let the region turn real qualification needs into concrete skills development and tailor-made training plans developed in partnership with companies. The article does not specify the expected number of trainees.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Ponta Delgada Municipal Council announced a special cleaning and waste-collection plan for the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres festivities, which began on 8 May 2026 and ran through 14 May. The plan reinforced both human and mechanical resources, including more than 100 additional 800-litre containers for organic, mixed, recyclable, glass, paper and cooking-oil waste, permanent cleaning teams and daily collections.

The outlet reports that enhanced operations extended through 17 May and targeted high-traffic areas such as Avenida Infante D. Henrique, Avenida Kopke, Avenida Marginal and Campo de São Francisco. The Public Security Police (PSP) also announced an increased street presence to strengthen visibility and crime prevention during the celebrations, which draw thousands of devotees.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres is organising guided visits to the Convento da Esperança in Ponta Delgada on 12 and 13 May 2026, from 09:30 to 12:00 local time. Entry is through the convent door on Avenida Roberto Ivens, with no advance reservation required and free participation.

The outlet reports that Portuguese-language tours begin at 09:30 and English-language tours at 10:00, with further groups departing every 30 minutes until 11:30, each limited to 30 visitors. The initiative, offered for the first time during the Santo Cristo festivities, aims to bring the faithful and visitors closer to this important religious and cultural heritage in Campo de São Francisco.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Carlos Moura of Portugal's hospitality association AHRESP called Ryanair's departure from the Azores very concerning for tourism and hospitality. He said reduced air connections directly lower demand across accommodation, dining and local commerce, and that without low-cost competition average travel prices tend to rise substantially depending on origin, carrier and season.

Moura noted tourism had already shown weakness in 2025 despite around one million guests and 3.1 million overnight stays, with the Spanish market down 2 percent and the French down 1 percent. Despite this, he maintained the Azores remain a destination with enormous potential and internationally recognised appeal, though he stressed that competitiveness depends on air connectivity and competitive pricing. Ryanair held roughly 20 percent of traffic at Ponta Delgada.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres festivities in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, run from 5 to 14 May 2026, opening with a preparatory triduum. The outlet describes the event as Portugal's second-largest religious celebration after Fátima, drawing thousands of pilgrims each year from all nine Azorean islands, mainland Portugal, the United States and Canada.

The programme includes the Ecce Homo procession through Campo de São Francisco on Saturday and the main procession through the city on Sunday, a tradition dating to 1700, plus masses, philharmonic concerts and fireworks. Cardinal António Marto presides, and apostolic nuncio Andrés Carrascosa Coso attends for the first time. The municipality allocated 50,000 euros to the organising Brotherhood.

According to Açoriano Oriental, capped fuel prices in the Azores rose sharply from Friday, 1 May 2026. Road diesel climbed 36.3 cents to 2.004 euros per litre, while 95-octane unleaded petrol increased 21.7 cents to 1.921 euros per litre. Agricultural diesel was set at 1.633 euros per litre and diesel for artisanal and small-scale fishing at 1.443 euros per litre.

The outlet reports that liquefied petroleum gas also rose, by 36.9 cents per kilogram. Butane in bottles of 26 litres or more was priced at 2.208 euros per kilogram, and in lightweight 24-litre bottles at 2.408 euros per kilogram. The article presents the changes as significant increases across the region.

According to Jornal Açores 9, SATA said on 30 April 2026 that it remained focused on ensuring "consistent and sustainable" mobility responses to meet local and tourism needs following Ryanair's exit from the Azores on 29 March. The airline said it would adjust operations to demand and closely monitor occupancy rates and market behaviour.

The report notes that, with Ryanair gone, air links between the Azores and mainland Portugal are now served exclusively by two public carriers, SATA Internacional/Azores Airlines and TAP, with TAP due to launch a Porto–Terceira route on 1 July with four weekly flights. The Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce warned of significant summer capacity cuts and estimated potential regional economic damage of about €160 million. Regional president José Manuel Bolieiro reiterated a pledge to pursue damage-minimising solutions and reinforce air capacity where feasible.

According to Jornal Açores 9, citing the Regional Statistics Service (SREA), tourist overnight stays in the Azores fell 2.4% in March compared with the same month a year earlier, the sixth consecutive month-on-month decline. The region recorded about 243,400 overnight stays across hotels, local accommodation and rural tourism, from around 78,000 guests, a 2.9% drop, with an average stay of 3.12 nights.

Foreign visitors accounted for 53.7% of stays (130,800 nights), while the domestic market fell 9.3% to 112,600. The United States led external markets with 30,000 stays, followed by Germany (24,700) and Canada (17,000). Hotels made up 63.9% of stays and local accommodation 32.7%. Only Graciosa, Flores, Terceira and São Jorge grew, while São Miguel represented 70.9% of hotel and local-accommodation stays. Portugal as a whole grew 1.4% in March.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores Regional Consumer Association (ACRA) on 29 April 2026 asked the regional government for measures to soften rising fuel prices, expressing "profound concern" over increases it said significantly affected the regional economy, families and workers. The association called for greater transparency, rigour and effectiveness in the region's energy pricing policy.

The report lists new prices taking effect that Friday: petrol at €1.921 per litre, road diesel at €2.004, agricultural diesel at €1.633 and fishing diesel at €1.443. In response, the regional finance secretary said the government would maintain an ISP fuel-tax discount in May of about 3.5 cents per litre on petrol and 4 cents on diesel, costing roughly €3 million in foregone revenue, while noting the rises stemmed from international markets and geopolitical factors beyond regional control.

According to Jornal Açores 9, regional president José Manuel Bolieiro said on 29 April 2026 that the Azores government was applying pressure to find "damage-minimising solutions" after Ryanair ended its operations in the archipelago on 29 March. He acknowledged it was a difficult situation without administrative remedies within the regional government's competence, describing it as "not a solution that the Government has in its portfolio."

Bolieiro noted that similar reductions in Ryanair service had happened before and been absorbed through market adaptation. He said that for summer 2026 the Azores would have around 16 airlines operating — described as a record — though connections to mainland Portugal would not match previous levels. The report recalls that Ryanair, which had operated in the Azores since 2015, cited high airport fees and government inaction, and that CEO Michael O'Leary had ruled out reversing the decision.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores regional government cancelled its official visit to São Jorge on 28 April 2026 because of bad weather that prevented air travel, with a government source saying a second date was being considered. The delegation left São Miguel in the morning and travelled to Terceira for a connecting flight, but was left stranded at Lajes Airport as conditions deteriorated.

The report notes that the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere had issued a yellow warning for the central islands, including São Jorge, until 21:00 local time due to heavy rain. The island's council had prepared to press the government for continuous, adjusted efforts on air and maritime accessibility. Under the Azores Statute, the government must visit each island at least once a year; a similar cancellation occurred on 3 February for a planned visit to Graciosa.

According to Jornal Açores 9, citing the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), a magnitude 3.4 earthquake was felt on Terceira in the early hours of 23 April 2026. The tremor occurred at 00:20 local time (01:20 in Lisbon), with its epicentre about 12 kilometres northeast of Santa Cruz, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória. It reached maximum intensity IV–V on the Modified Mercalli scale in Lajes and Praia da Vitória, and IPMA reported no personal or material damage.

The report places the event in a wider context of heightened seismic activity, noting the Azores recorded more than 20,000 earthquakes in 2025, 148 of them felt by residents. It links the activity to the Santa Bárbara volcano on Terceira, which has been above normal since June 2022, with its alert level raised in June 2024 and November 2025.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the CGTP-IN union federation's Azores branch warned on 15 April 2026 of worsening financial difficulties for workers and pensioners despite regional economic growth. It said prices for essentials such as food, energy and housing had risen far faster than wages, while large companies continued to post record profits.

The union criticised the national government's proposed labour reforms as an "incomprehensible regression" in labour law and complained that CGTP-IN had been excluded from the negotiations. Regionally, it opposed the planned privatisation of two profitable subsidiaries of the Azores electricity company EDA, predicting higher electricity costs and job losses. Coordinator Rui Teixeira called on regional authorities to address the distribution of wealth, warning the Azores must not become a region that beats "successive records: economic growth and poverty," and urged the government to strengthen social dialogue.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Economic and Social Council of the Azores (CESA) presented a study proposing individualised support and political consensus to tackle the roughly 7,800 young people in the region classified as NEET — not in education, employment or training. Of these, 3,200 are registered with public employment services and more than 4,000 are not registered with any agency. The study puts the current NEET rate at 14.1%, with targets of 10% by 2032 and 6% by 2036, and estimates a negative economic impact of about €150 million.

The study recommends 21 measures, including one-on-one support, systematic detection, skills mapping, expanded vocational training and more scholarships, alongside action on housing and health. Youth, Housing and Employment secretary Maria João Carreiro said the government would strengthen vocational guidance in schools to prevent young people from becoming NEET.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Sónia Avelar, a tourism professor at the University of the Azores, said SATA and TAP had not provided capacity equivalent to what Ryanair removed when it ceased Azores operations on 29 March 2026. She stated that any compensation "will be partial, but not equivalent," stressing that the islands, as an ultra-peripheral territory, are structurally vulnerable to disruptions in air access.

Avelar noted that low-cost carriers such as Ryanair had drawn price-sensitive travellers and helped drive tourism growth after the 2015 liberalisation of the air market, and warned the departure could reverse those gains. She pointed to price sensitivity, flight frequency, direct routes and diverse source markets as factors TAP and SATA may not fully replicate, and recommended diversifying airlines and markets, protecting resident mobility and strengthening the destination's overall value rather than competing solely on airfares.

According to RTP Açores, Ryanair's departure from the Azores, effective 29 March 2026, is already affecting the tourism sector ahead of Easter. The Local Accommodation Association (ALA) reported that more than half of local lodging units had occupancy below 50% for the Easter period, while roughly one third had no reservations at all. Its president, João Pinheiro, described Easter as the sector's "first test" following the reduction in flight capacity.

The report notes that local accommodation makes up 62% of the archipelago's lodging capacity, some 4,600 units. Pinheiro warned that lower connectivity would also hit restaurants, retail and related services, and that the Azores risked losing competitiveness against destinations such as the Algarve, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Without investment in tourism and air mobility, he said some owners could be forced to sell or lease their units.

According to Diário dos Açores, the Angra do Heroísmo municipal council has unveiled the theme and poster for the 2026 Sanjoaninas festival, to be held from 19 to 28 June in the UNESCO World Heritage city. The theme is "Angra e a Açorianidade" (Angra and Azorean Identity), conceived by Tomé Ribeiro Gomes, with the poster created by Rúben Quadros Ramos. The edition coincides with the 50th anniversary of Azorean autonomy.

The report describes the Sanjoaninas as the Azores' largest celebration, drawing thousands of visitors over ten days, with concerts across several stages, themed parades, food stalls, exhibitions, sporting events, popular marches and bullfighting traditions. Council vice-president Guido Teles said the festival is "an excellent postcard of our identity" and an important contribution to the municipality's economic development, marking the autonomy anniversary through popular festivities.

According to Jornal Açores 9, several bodies representing the Azorean economy — including the local accommodation association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the agricultural federation and the Portuguese hotel association — issued a joint statement on 1 April 2026 demanding an immediate reinforcement of the archipelago's air links. They called the situation one that requires "a firm, coordinated and immediate response," warning of risks such as lost demand, reduced economic activity, job losses and depopulation.

The organisations proposed creating a Route Development Fund to attract airlines, reinforce existing routes, add frequencies and extend summer operations year-round, and urged raising the tourism promotion budget to €20 million. The appeal came three days after Ryanair ended its 11-year Azores operation, against a backdrop of six consecutive months of falling overnight stays, including a 5.9% drop in February year-on-year.

According to The Portugal News, Ryanair operated its final flight to the Azores on 29 March 2026, ending its service to the Portuguese archipelago. Business leaders estimated the airline had carried more than 100,000 tourists a year to the islands, representing close to 10 percent of overnight stays, and projected an annual economic impact exceeding 160 million euros.

The outlet reports that tourism and hospitality industries face significant disruption. Miguel Quintas, president of the National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAV), warned the effects could be immediate and might push up travel prices to the Azores. Industry figures noted the consequences would extend beyond hotels to restaurants, crafts, cultural activities and employment across associated businesses.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the vice-president of the Azores regional government, Artur Lima, said the region's flag carriers could offset Ryanair's departure, stating that SATA and TAP have the conditions to resolve and compensate for the exit. He indicated the two airlines could respond by increasing flight frequency or using larger aircraft to boost available seats.

The outlet reports that Lima said the government was studying the situation in detail before reinforcing the number of flights with SATA and TAP. He dismissed as exaggerated the business associations' figure of roughly 100,000 annual Ryanair passengers. The government also stressed protecting the Social Mobility Subsidy, warning against setbacks as a suspension of income-verification requirements was due to expire on 31 March 2026.

According to Jornal Açores 9, PS/Açores leader Francisco César argued that the destination cannot be sustained on TAP and SATA capacity alone following Ryanair's withdrawal, which took effect on 29 March 2026 after 11 years of service. He described the government's reliance on the two carriers as a mentality from the 1980s and 1990s and said the administration did not understand how markets or economies function.

The outlet reports that César called for more private, competitive carriers, citing Madeira, where EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air and TAP compete and drive prices down while promoting the destination. The regional government, led by José Manuel Bolieiro, acknowledged seeking capacity increases from TAP and SATA while pursuing medium-term solutions to attract other airlines. Ryanair cited airport taxes and EU environmental levies for its exit.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azorean tourism sector braced for disruption as Ryanair prepared to operate its final flights to the islands that weekend, ending a low-cost link that began in 2015. The Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIPD) estimated an annual regional GDP reduction of between 90.1 and 104.5 million euros, or 1.5 to 1.7 percent of regional GDP, with Ryanair accounting for roughly 7.5 to 8.7 percent of overnight stays.

The outlet reports that hotels, restaurants, car-rental firms and activity operators voiced concern about falling bookings, with immediate effects expected over the Easter period. Regional President José Manuel Bolieiro said the government was working on solutions, while Tourism Secretary Berta Cabral indicated it was cooperating with TAP and SATA to address the carrier's departure.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the rector of the Sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, Manuel Carlos Alves, announced at a press conference on 26 March 2026 that the year's festival in Ponta Delgada would invite participants to pray for peace in the world, at a time described as marked by conflicts and divisions. The festivities are scheduled for 8 to 14 May 2026.

The outlet reports that Cardinal António Marto, bishop emeritus of Leiria-Fátima, will preside, with the papal nuncio to Portugal also taking part. Highlights include the opening illumination on 8 May and the solemn mass and procession on 10 May. The image will wear a new gold-embroidered cape donated by emigrants in the United States, and the chalice from John Paul II's 1991 visit will be used at mass.

According to Jornal Açores 9, petrol and diesel prices in the Azores rose from 1 April 2026, with petrol up 6.9 cents and diesel up 12 cents per litre. The regional government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) attributed the increases to oil-price volatility linked to Middle East tensions, and said it had trimmed its reduction of the tax on petroleum products (ISP) to soften the impact on consumers.

Regional Finance Secretary Duarte Freitas stated that the increases facing Azoreans on 1 April would be about a quarter of the national rises, which he put at 24.9 cents for petrol and 46.9 cents for diesel. The outlet reports the regional ISP measure carried a cost of roughly three million euros, and officials framed it as evidence of the government's willingness to support residents.

According to Jornal Açores 9, PS/Açores leader Francisco César warned that the region was facing significant economic difficulties due to a decline in tourism, describing the Azores as the only region of the country where tourism was shrinking. He criticised the government for lacking a coherent promotion strategy and for insufficient investment in accessibility.

The outlet reports that César cited local-accommodation occupancy at 50 percent, 70 percent of units with no clients in January, 8 percent fewer available beds in peak season, and a 9.9 percent year-on-year fall in January overnight stays, a fifth consecutive monthly decline. He noted the loss of EasyJet in 2017 and the recent Ryanair withdrawal, and contrasted the region's 800,000-euro BTL trade-show stand with Madeira's 160,000 euros. The party called for prioritising accessibility and a clear, measurable tourism strategy.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores regional government announced increased financial support for teachers assigned to the region's most understaffed schools and islands, effective from the 2026/27 school year. The measure was presented by the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sports, Sofia Ribeiro.

The outlet reports that housing support was set at 500 euros per month over the school year, totalling 6,000 euros a year per eligible teacher, along with one annual round-trip airfare within Portugal capped at the Azores Tariff or Social Mobility Subsidy maximum. Eligibility requires a minimum three-year commitment at the assigned school and proof of a rental contract or property ownership on the island. The government said the aim was to promote the stability of qualified teaching staff in the most needy schools, following union concerns about teacher shortages.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the aviation unions SITAVA and SINTAC filed a pre-strike notice on 9 March 2026 at SATA Air Açores, the carrier operating inter-island flights, with the action set to begin on 24 March 2026 for an indefinite period. The notice targets all supplementary work on weekdays, complementary rest days and weekly rest days.

The outlet reports that the unions oppose the planned privatisation of the airline's ground-handling services, arguing the decision would create precariousness and operational instability and that workers' rights are not safeguarded. SATA president Tiago Santos responded that the privatisation is a commitment made by SATA and the Portuguese and Azorean governments to the European Commission, required as a condition of the EU state aid that saved the SATA group in 2022.

According to Diário dos Açores, the Azores Regional Legislative Assembly approved a second amendment to Regional Legislative Decree No. 14/2024/A, published in the Official Journal on 4 March 2026, authorising commercial pole-and-line (salto e vara) tuna fishing in high-protection zones of the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA). The amendment keeps the general ban on extractive activities but permits the fishery as a very specific, minimum-impact use.

The outlet reports that the RAMPA management authority may authorise pole-and-line fishing under conditions still to be defined, alongside scientific research and educational activities. The legislation characterises the method as selective and without bycatch, and includes provisions for co-management, supply-chain and technological development, government payment of support mechanisms within 90 days of financing, post-season evaluations and continued fishing observation programmes.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Ponta Delgada hosted the 25th edition of El Açor, an international student-tuna festival, from 18 to 21 March 2026, bringing together around 450 university participants. Organised by Tunídeos, the event featured about ten groups performing and competing, with main performances held at the Coliseu Micaelense on 20 and 21 March.

The outlet reports that competing groups included Transmontuna, TUMa from Madeira, TAISEP from Porto, TAFUL from Lisbon, FAN from Coimbra and the Estudantina Académica de Castelo Branco, alongside local Azorean tunas. The programme also included a tour taking in Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint. The festival was supported by the regional government's youth directorate, Ponta Delgada City Council and the São José parish council.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Azorean business leaders expressed concern over a decline in tourism and called on the government to introduce structural measures. Gualter Couto, president of the Ponta Delgada Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with hotel-association representative Andreia Pavão and local-accommodation association president João Pinheiro, cited a 9.9 percent year-on-year drop in overnight stays in January 2026, a fifth consecutive month of decline, with 70 percent of local accommodation units recording no guests that month.

The outlet reports that the leaders sought measures to combat seasonality, including a data-driven, segmented approach, longer average stays and maintaining direct air access, particularly after Ryanair's departure and an anticipated 9 percent cut in summer international flight capacity. Couto rejected the government's description of the situation as a mere plateau, saying preparation could not be reactive.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Azores Airlines will launch a direct air link between Terceira and Madeira on 7 May 2026. The service starts with one weekly flight on Thursdays, rising to two weekly flights during the June-to-September peak, when an additional Monday service is added; each departure has a next-day return.

The outlet reports the new route supplements existing Ponta Delgada–Funchal flights, bringing total weekly frequencies between the two archipelagos to 12 during the summer. The connection stems from updated public service obligations, part of a 62.5 million euro contract awarded to the SATA/TAP consortium for 2026–2031, which covers several Azores–mainland and Azores–Madeira routes. The article does not specify aircraft type or ticket prices.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Alonso Miguel, Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, said the archipelago's natural heritage is a significant differentiator for the Azores internationally, speaking at the BTL travel market in Lisbon during an event organised by the Azores Geopark under the theme "9 Islands – 1 Geopark: An Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Tourism."

The outlet reports he said this natural wealth has earned deep international recognition through various awards and statuses, including the Azores Geopark's admission to UNESCO's Global Geoparks Network in 2015, and called it an extraordinary tourism asset and a catalyst for economic and social development. He noted the Geopark takes in 122 geosites across the nine islands and surrounding seabed, seven of them of international importance, and highlighted his department's funding, staffing and monitoring work.

According to Jornal Açores 9, Regional Secretary for Employment Maria João Carreiro said the merit for the quality of the Azores as a destination belongs first and foremost to its workers, speaking during a panel titled "Açores – Fidelizar pela Saudade" at the BTL travel market in Lisbon in 2026. She cited staff across hospitality, restaurants, tourism activities, transport and cultural services.

The outlet reports she reaffirmed the government's commitment to raising worker qualifications and sector competitiveness. Supporting figures included more than 6,700 Azorean workers hired through the CONTRATAR measure since 2021, 26 percent of them in tourism; 90 percent of 3,835 registered tourism vacancies filled; over 1,600 unemployed people given short training; and 2,640 people certified through more than 220 training actions. Regional unemployment had stayed below 5,000 for 32 consecutive months.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the National Maritime Authority and the Navy warned of rough seas and strong winds across the Azores from the evening of 23 February 2026 until the early morning of 25 February. The Western Group (Flores and Corvo) faced the most severe conditions, with the Central Group also significantly affected and the Eastern Group less so.

The outlet reports westerly waves with significant heights around 10 metres and maximums up to 18 metres, and average winds of about 84 km/h with gusts reaching 152 km/h. Red warnings were issued for the Western Group, orange for the Central Group, and yellow more widely. Authorities advised fishing and recreational vessels to return to safe harbours and urged people to stay away from beaches, cliffs and wave-exposed areas.

According to Jornal Açores 9, two streets in Vila do Corvo were closed to traffic on 23 February 2026 because of severe weather. The closures affected Rua Padre Leonete Vieira do Rêgo and a section of Rua Padre Eugénio Coelho de Rita, between the Caminho das Pedras Vermelhas and the parking area south of the runway, and ran from 4 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following day.

The outlet reports the measure was ordered by Óscar Rocha, vice-president of the Corvo municipal council, as a cold-weather system brought extreme conditions to the archipelago. It notes winds could reach around 110 km/h in the Western Group and waves up to 19 metres, with the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere issuing red and orange alerts for Flores and Corvo.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the ferry operator Atlânticoline cancelled sailings on its Green Line (Linha Verde), which links Horta, Pico and Velas across the central Azores triangle, on 23 February 2026. Both the morning and afternoon departures were called off because of adverse weather conditions.

The outlet reports the cancellations came as a cold front moved through the archipelago, bringing winds reaching around 95 km/h in the central islands, waves up to 8 metres, and heavy rain with thunderstorms. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere had issued red and orange alerts for the region. Atlânticoline expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to passengers.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the "Carnaval Ilha Terceira" mobile application has again been made available for the 2026 season on Google Play and the App Store. The app lets users track the performances of the island's carnival groups, showing which halls are hosting the bailinho shows and allowing visitors to follow the groups' movements around Terceira in real time.

The outlet reports the application was first launched in 2016 by the regional tourism association and has been maintained and updated since 2023 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Angra do Heroísmo, in partnership with the municipalities of Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória. The tool is intended to help carnival-goers navigate the festivities during the celebration season.

According to Jornal Açores 9, bad weather on 10 February 2026 forced SATA Air Açores to cancel 34 inter-island flights, more than half of its roughly 50 daily operations. Having exhausted its own aircraft and crews, the airline turned to sister company Azores Airlines under an ACMI arrangement to run additional flights using an A321neo.

The outlet reports the substitute service operated between São Miguel and Terceira. Of the 293 passengers left without seats, about 288 were carried on the Azores Airlines aircraft, with the remaining five placed on other flights during the day. SATA said it acted only after using all internal resources. Both carriers belong to the SATA Group, with Azores Airlines normally flying external routes and SATA Air Açores handling inter-island connections. The severe weather also postponed the regional assembly's February plenary.

According to Diário dos Açores, Portugal's Ministry of Finance approved new IRS withholding tax tables for residents of the Azores in 2026 through Dispatch No. 1179/2026, published in the official gazette on 3 February 2026. The tables apply to income paid or made available from 1 January 2026 and reflect the IRS reductions set out in the 2026 State Budget Law.

The outlet reports the update keeps the progressive marginal-rate model used since mid-2023, which aims to align monthly deductions more closely with the final annual tax due. The tables vary by family status, number of dependents and disability. Supplements for dependents with a permanent disability of 60 percent or more range from 42.41 to 84.82 euros, supplementary work is taxed at half the monthly rate, and a one-point reduction applies for households with three or more dependents. The dispatch revokes the earlier one from July 2025.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores government accepted a proposal from the regional Agricultural Federation to help dairy farmers convert their operations to beef cattle production. Regional Agriculture Secretary António Ventura said the government was preparing legislation for the scheme, which would allocate around 3,000 additional suckler-cow rights, chiefly on Terceira and Graciosa, affecting roughly 50 producers.

The outlet reports the proposal followed a notice from the cooperative Unicol on 31 January that milk prices would fall by three cents a litre from 1 February, citing adverse market conditions. Ventura argued the drop was not justified by the market alone, pointing to industry dominance and the undervaluing of regional milk, and noted the region produces large volumes of low-value milk powder. He also said Terceira milk had improved in fat and protein content during 2025.

RTP Açores reported that severe maritime agitation forced the closure of almost all of São Miguel's ports on 4 February 2026. The Ponta Delgada port authority ordered every harbour on the island shut to navigation except Ponta Delgada itself, with the restriction running from 5pm on 4 February until 7am the following morning.

The port captain indicated that opening times could be brought forward if sea conditions improved. The report added that, on the neighbouring island of Santa Maria, the port of Vila do Porto had already been closed since the Tuesday of that week owing to the same spell of bad weather.

According to Açoriano Oriental, the maximum retail price of unleaded 95-octane petrol in the Azores fell by 2.2 cents to 1.598 euros per litre from 1 February 2026, while diesel was held unchanged at 1.474 euros per litre. Coloured diesel for agriculture (1.103 euros) and for fishing (0.913 euros) also stayed the same. Some butane gas prices moved marginally, with bulk butane down 0.6 cents.

The outlet reports that the regional government sets these ceiling prices on the first day of each month, adjusting them to recent movements in international quotations for oil and energy products. Açoriano Oriental notes the region levies fuel taxes of 59 cents per litre on petrol and 40 cents on diesel, rates that had risen sharply in December 2024.

According to Jornal Açores 9, João Pinheiro, president of the Azores Local Accommodation Association (ALA), said the sector is going through a demanding period marked by a longer and more intense low season. He noted that more than half of units are receiving no guests, which he said points to structural fragility, and described 2026 as a concerning scenario driven by a perfect storm of global instability, Ryanair's departure on 29 March 2026, uncertainty over SATA's operations and insufficient investment in promoting the Azores.

The outlet reports that the sector generated around €350 million in 2023, potentially reaching €500 million in 2024, with two-thirds of the impact flowing indirectly to other sectors. Pinheiro said the rules governing local accommodation had not been revised in about a decade, while Regional Tourism Secretary Berta Cabral acknowledged the sector's determining role and called for sustainable, quality-oriented development.

According to DNotícias, island residents who receive the Social Mobility Subsidy will be able to pay only the final, subsidised airfare at the time of booking, instead of paying the full price and waiting for reimbursement. The Madeira Regional Government confirmed the change would take effect during 2026, and regional secretary for Tourism, Environment and Culture Eduardo Jesus said the national Government had guaranteed the objective would be met.

The outlet reports the current caps: on Madeira–mainland routes residents pay €79 and students €59 return, with eligible costs limited to €400; on Azores routes the resident limit is €119 and the student limit €89, with costs capped at €600. Under the existing model passengers pay the full fare upfront and are reimbursed after travelling. DNotícias notes that airlines including easyJet, TAP and SATA had opposed a PCP proposal to introduce direct payment.

According to DNotícias and Lusa, the SATA group said it is following Ryanair's decision to cease operations in the Azores from 29 March 2026 with attention, acknowledging the potential effect on resident mobility, connectivity between the islands and tourism. The airline said it was assessing, within its operational, financial and regulatory capacity, how it might contribute to mitigating any constraints resulting from the departure.

The report quotes SATA saying that any reinforcement or adjustment of its service would be done responsibly and sustainably, prioritising the public interest, territorial cohesion and the company's own sustainability, and it stressed its long-standing commitment to maintaining essential air links. As context, the outlets note Ryanair reaffirmed its exit citing airport charges and government inaction, while the Regional Government continued negotiations in the hope of keeping the carrier operating.

According to Jornal Açores 9, depression Joseph was affecting the Azores with severe weather, prompting the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) to issue red warnings, its highest level. Red sea alerts covered the western islands of Flores and Corvo from Monday evening into Tuesday, and the central group of Terceira, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and Faial through Tuesday, with northwest waves forecast to reach up to 10 metres significant height and a maximum of 19 metres. Additional orange and yellow warnings were also in force.

The outlet reports that Atlânticoline cancelled three ferry lines on Tuesday: the Green Line linking Horta, Cais do Pico and Velas, the Pink Line between Corvo and Flores, and the Blue Line between Horta and Madalena. Madalena port on Pico was closed to all navigation from 15:30 Tuesday to 06:00 Wednesday, and the company warned that worsening conditions would continue to affect maritime operations.

According to Açoriano Oriental, the Azores Government announced a package to expand housing supply and access, presented by Maria João Carreiro, regional secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, who said the period of disinvestment in housing had ended. The plan includes €65 million from the Recovery and Resilience Plan to create 767 housing solutions across the region, covering rehabilitations, new construction and serviced plots.

The outlet reports a public tender, closing 4 February, for 23 apartments in the Foros Sol Mar development in Vila Franca do Campo — four T1, nine T2 and ten T3 units — with investment above €2.1 million, offered as rentals with a purchase option after one year. Income eligibility limits were raised, and financial supports were reinforced, including new €5,000 grants for architecture project costs and a 25% increase in self-build subsidies, allowing eligible couples to access up to €21,000.

According to Açores 2030, the programme published its 2026 Annual Plan of Calls on 15 January 2026, setting out 22 planned funding calls worth a total of €114.4 million in European funds. The plan is presented as a planning tool that lets applicants prepare their candidatures in advance, and it is updated quarterly.

The outlet reports that the calls target several priority areas, including training and qualification, professional internships and socio-professional insertion programmes, social responses and the mitigation of material deprivation, civil protection and risk management, adaptation to climate change, water resource management, and the promotion of innovation and scientific research. Açores 2030 frames the plan as part of its commitment to transparent and effective management of European funds in support of sustainable, inclusive and innovative development in the archipelago.

According to Diário dos Açores, the Ribeira Grande Municipal Council opened registrations for the 33rd edition of Cantar às Estrelas, the traditional star-singing event scheduled for 1 February. Groups wishing to take part could sign up until 23 January by email or by telephone, providing their name, the theme of the song to be performed, its author, the number of participants and their place of origin.

The outlet reports that the procession begins at 7 p.m., moving along Rua Direita and Largo Hintze Ribeiro and ending at the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Estrela. Diário dos Açores describes the event as a significant expression of Ribeira Grande's intangible cultural heritage, combining traditional and intergenerational elements, and notes that it usually draws more than a thousand participants from across the municipality and neighbouring areas of São Miguel.

According to Jornal Açores 9, twelve groups from various localities across Terceira are taking part in the island's 2026 Carnaval Sénior. Performances are spread over three weekends — 24–25 January, 31 January–1 February and 7–8 February — held in halls around the island, with the groups presenting themes ranging from humour and social criticism to family relationships and community life.

The outlet reports that the event is organised by the Municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, led by Mayor Fátima Amorim, which describes it as having a very significant impact on the island's social and economic life and offering intergenerational, fun and creative moments. The traditional Carnival follows on 14–17 February at the Teatro Angrense, featuring Terceira's characteristic dances and small ballets.

According to the Azores Civil Protection seismological communiqué, an earthquake of magnitude 2.2 on the Richter scale occurred on 13 January 2026 at 09:32 local time, with its epicentre located about 3 kilometres west of Vitória on Graciosa island.

The communiqué states that the tremor was felt with a maximum intensity of III on the Modified Mercalli scale, reported in Guadalupe. The Centro de Informação e Vigilância Sismovulcânica dos Açores (CIVISA) said it would continue to monitor the situation and issue further communiqués if necessary.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas came into force on 1 January 2026, covering roughly 30% of Azorean waters, with half of the protected zones under total-protection rules. The network was approved in October 2024 and built on work by the Fundação Oceano Azul and the Waitt Foundation.

The outlet reports that PS/Açores leader Francisco César defended the agreement reached with the regional president, saying it balances environmental protection with the viability of the fishing sector. Under the deal, jump-and-rod tuna fishing is permitted in high-protection zones, though not in total-protection areas, and it provides for increased support for this type of commercial fishing, a co-management plan for the tuna sector, reinforced technical capacity for fishing associations and continued monitoring. César said fishermen benefit from the resulting decree.

According to Jornal Açores 9, the Azores Regional Government approved a €1 increase to the Tarifa Açores, the subsidised inter-island fare for residents, raising the adult return price from €60 to €61 (one-way €35). Children's return fares rose to €46 and infants' to €13. From now on, the fare will be updated automatically each year in line with the previous year's inflation rate calculated by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The outlet reports that the new prices take effect on publication in the regional official gazette, according to the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, and that spending on the subsidy carries a maximum budget of €10 million for 2026. The programme launched in June 2021, having originated from a motion approved by the regional assembly, and was a campaign pledge of regional president José Manuel Bolieiro.

According to Jornal Açores 9, citing the Idealista price index, house prices in Portugal rose 6.8% year-on-year in December, reaching a median of €3,019 per square metre, the highest value recorded, with a quarterly increase of 2.6%.

The outlet reports that the Azores led the country in price acceleration, with values climbing 20.1% over the year, ahead of Madeira at 14.6%, the Alentejo at 14.3% and the Centro region at 10.8%. Within the archipelago the increases varied widely by island: Porto Santo rose 42.6%, Faial 29%, São Miguel 20.2% and Terceira 19.9%. The index is calculated from median asking prices in property listings, excluding atypical or off-market entries.

According to Açoriano Oriental, several prices are rising in 2026. The Portuguese Retail Distribution Association estimates increases of about 7% in meat and fish, while bread and bakery goods also face slight rises linked to higher labour costs and input prices. Residential rents can increase 2.24% under the official INE coefficient, and the reference construction value used for property tax rises to €570 per square metre. Telecom operators NOS, MEO and Vodafone are raising prices in line with inflation, and CTT postal rates increase by an average of 6.2% from 2 February.

The outlet reports offsetting increases on the income side: the Azores regional minimum wage rises to €966, pensions up to €1,074.26 increase by 2.80% with a minimum of €9.29, and the Elderly Solidarity Complement rises 6.24%. Medicines priced under €30 remain stable.