TAP has inaugurated the connection between Terceira Island and San Francisco, in the United States of America, which will run until September 17th with weekly frequency, departing on Tuesdays and returning on Wednesdays, operated by A330neo aircraft, with capacity for around 298 passengers.

For the vice-president of the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), this is a transatlantic route that “serves the Azorean diaspora and the Region on a cultural, economic, political and strategic level”.

Artur Lima said that with this new TAP route, the “connection with Azoreans living in the United States of America is deeply valued” and with “clear advantages” for the tourism sector of the islands of the Central group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial), in particular, and the Azores, in general.

“In 2023, during the official trip to California, I reaffirmed my commitment to reducing distances and geographical barriers between the Azores and their communities”, recalled Artur Lima, quoted in a press release released by the Regional Government.

Later, in August 2024, in Lisbon, the vice-president of the Regional Government met with the chairman of the board of directors of TAP, Luís Rodrigues, in which issues related to the mobility of Azoreans and the strengthening of air links between the archipelago and North America were discussed.

“This air link brings us even closer to this purpose”, highlighted the vice-president of the Azorean Government.

The new route, according to the vice-president, also represents “an effort, on the part of the Regional Government, to promote and increase the export capacity” of Azorean products to the communities, which are located on the West Coast of the United States, and to the continent.