SATA Air Açores

SATA Air Açores (ICAO: SAT) is a Portuguese regional airline based in the Azores archipelago. Founded on August 21, 1941, as Sociedade Açoreana de Estudos Aéreos Lda., the airline began its commercial operations on June 15, 1947, as Sociedade Açoreana de Transportes Aéreos Lda. (SATA), initially providing vital inter-island connections for passengers, cargo, and mail. It later became a state-owned enterprise in 1980. Over the decades, SATA Air Açores has been instrumental in the socio-economic development of the Azores, connecting its nine islands and facilitating mobility for residents and goods, while also boosting tourism in the region.

The airline's main operational base is at João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel. It provides its own maintenance and handling services and also manages four regional airports within the archipelago. SATA Air Açores primarily operates scheduled passenger, cargo, and mail services exclusively within the Azores. International and longer-haul routes are handled by its subsidiary, Azores Airlines (formerly SATA Internacional), which connects the archipelago to destinations in Europe and North America.

SATA Air Açores operates a fleet of Bombardier Dash 8 Q200 and Dash 8 Q400 turboprop aircraft, chosen for their suitability for regional and inter-island travel, including diverse weather conditions and varying runway lengths within the archipelago. As of June 2024, its fleet consists of two Dash 8 Q200s and six Dash 8 Q400s, with an average fleet age of 20.6 years. While not a member of any major airline alliance, SATA Air Açores maintains codeshare agreements with other carriers, including TAP Air Portugal and Air France, and works closely with its subsidiary, Azores Airlines, to offer a broader network. Due to the short nature of its inter-island flights, SATA Air Açores primarily offers an Economy Class cabin. Complimentary refreshments, typically a soft drink and a small snack, are provided on some regional flights. The SATA Group also offers a frequent-flyer program called SATA Imagine.